SIX weeks after Romantic Warrior was touched off by Forever Young in the Saudi Cup, the Hong Kong star was pipped once again by a Japanese-trained horse in the Dubai Turf last Saturday in Meydan.

This time, the winner was Soul Rush, a seven-year-old who had won one Group 1 in his homeland previously and had finished third to Romantic Warrior in the Yasuda Kinen last June.

Romantic Warrior arrived in Dubai having won 18 of his 23 career starts and earning over £20 million in prize money.

The Danny Shum-trained gelding was prominent throughout before making his charge inside the final two furlongs to surge clear.

Romantic Warrior was a length ahead and looked to be keeping his rivals at bay, but Soul Rush clicked into top gear and thundered home in the closing stages as the pair crossed the finish line together and needed a photo to determine the winner.

Murmurs of a dead heat followed, like the 2022 renewal when Lord North and Panthalassa shared the top prize, before Yasutoshi Ikee’s charge was declared the victor by a nose, providing redemption for jockey Cristian Demuro after his defeat by a short head on board Namur in last year’s race.

“Last year I was beaten by a nose, this year I win by a nose, so the luck was with me today,” Demuro said.

“He beat the best horse in the world, it was a fantastic travel behind him and he got there in the end – I’m so happy.

“He doesn’t lose many races, Romantic Warrior, but today he met a good horse.”

British raiders took the minor honours, with Maljoom third for William Haggas whiile Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter was fourth.