PEGASUS World Cup victor White Abarrio and last year’s Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River have been ruled out of next week’s Saudi Cup, but Hong Kong’s superstar, Romantic Warrior, remains on target for the $20 million contest.

Danny Shum’s charge faces perhaps his toughest challenge to date, as he runs on dirt for the first time, and it will likely be the seven-year-old’s only start on the surface, according to his trainer.

“Wherever we finish in the Saudi Cup, it is 99 per cent certain he will run next in the Dubai Turf,” Shum explained on Tuesday. “The Dubai Racing Club have already accepted my entry for the Dubai Turf, but not the Dubai World Cup yet, as we want to see how Romantic Warrior finishes the race here, but he will almost certainly go for the turf race.”

On Romantic Warrior’s prospects on dirt, Chum commented: “Maybe he will be very good on it, or maybe he can’t handle it – but we won’t be disappointed if he loses, so long as he is happy and sound.”

The seven-year-old travelled to Saudi Arabia off the back of his 10th Group 1 win in the Jebel Hatta, which he won by four and a half lengths, and in track record time. The race was marred by the fatal injury suffered by longtime leader Measured Time, but no one could deny the impressive performance produced by the winner.

As his trainer recalled: “In that race, you saw Romantic Warrior and his turn of foot. He hit the line strong and he is improving – which I am quite shocked about, as he is seven years old!”

James McDonald was aboard in Meydan and will be again at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. “James has such confidence in the horse,” Chum commented. “When you watch James and Romantic Warrior – they are one. It is amazing to see. It’s incredible.”

Lone European runner

Jerome Reynier elected to run Facteur Cheval on dirt in Meydan before his Saudi Cup bid, and last year’s Dubai Turf winner finished a promising third in last month’s Maktoum Challenge.

While Laurel River has suffered a minor setback, Bhupat Seemar still has a live chance in the Saudi Cup, with last month’s Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge winner Walk Of Stars. Group-placed in the UK for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, the Dubawi gelding has proven a different horse on dirt, after current owners Athbah Racing paid UAE$1.2 million (€313,324) for him in April 2023.

White Abarrio’s absence leaves the Kenny McPeek-trained Rattle N Roll as America’s only hope in the race. A Grade 1 winner as a juvenile, the now six-year-old registered his seventh graded victory on his first start in Riyadh last month.

It came in a Saudi Cup Qualifier, also to the benefit of the second and third, Wait To Excel and Wootton’sun. They are among seven local runners in the race, including a pair of notable purchases by Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb.

The local owner has purchased El Kodigo and Intense For Me, both considered leading dirt horses in Argentina, but with their most recent form over a mile and a half. Almuhaideb’s other contender, Defunded, was a dual Grade 1 winner for Bob Baffert, but failed to fire for new connections last year.

Four Japanese raiders remain in contention, including the Noboru Takagi-trained Ushba Tesoro, who was beaten just a head by the Todd Pletcher-trained Senor Buscador in last year’s running. The eight-year-old will be joined by stablemate Wilson Tesoro, who has finished second in Grade 1s on his last two starts. He separated Forever Young and Ramjet last time out in the Tokyo Daishoten and all three will be reunited next week.