J-Mac commits to Romantic Warrior ride in Japan

Kiwi jockey to continue association with Hong Kong star in Yasuda Kinen

James McDonald is set to ride in Japan for the first time in nearly a decade, with the superstar Kiwi confirming he will partner Romantic Warrior in June’s Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m).

After Romantic Warrior bids for a hat-trick of Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) wins on Sunday, Danny Shum Chap-shing’s stable star will be set for another audacious overseas tilt at Tokyo racecourse on June 2.

McDonald, whose only experience of riding in Japan came in November 2014, says he is focusing on Sunday’s HK$28 million contest before turning his attention to June’s assignment. “Yes [I’ll be going to Japan], it will be my second time there,” McDonald said. “But, I’d love to win the QE II first.”

McDonald has been no stranger to enjoying Group One success in Hong Kong this season and heads to Sha Tin on Sunday with a strong hand in the three top-level events.

In addition to Romantic Warrior in the QE II Cup, the 32-year-old will hop aboard Howdeepisyourlove in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Voyage Bubble in the Group One Champions Mile.

Voyage Bubble could be Golden Sixty’s biggest competition in the Champions

Mile, while there is an international flavour to the HK$22 million contest thanks to Britain’s Brave Emperor and Japanese raiders Obamburumai, Elton Barows and Champagne Color.

Elton Barows was one of four Japanese runners to step out at Sha Tin yesterday morning to continue his preparations for the weekend, with the Haruki Sugiyama-trained four-year-old taking to the turf for an easy piece of work.

“All has gone well so far,” stable representative Yuta Sato said of Seven Barows.

“After considering the ground condition on the all-weather track and that he can be spooky sometimes so he needs to get familiar with the new surroundings, we decided to work him on the turf.”

QE II Cup contender Prognosis joined Chairman’s Sprint Prize hopefuls Mad Cool and Sunrise Ronaldo for a canter on the all-weather track.

“He has settled well and looks good,” Prognosis’ assistant trainer Yasunari Kiyoyama said. “He will gallop on Wednesday.”

After triumphing over Hong Kong sprinter Victor The Winner in the Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) in attritional conditions last month, Mad Cool is one galloper who will be suited to the forecast heavy rainfall throughout the week.

The five-year-old is unbeaten from two starts on a yielding surface and “feels great” after his light piece of work according to his work rider, Kimiyuki Shibata.

Fellow Japanese raiders Hishi Iguazu, Champagne Color, Obamburumai and North Bridge, along with British runners Brave Emperor, Dubai Honour and Believing, were unable to take to the track yesterday morning.

The seven international challengers were confined to their quarantine stables after they landed in the city on Sunday.

Of the Hong Kong contingent, Flying Ace was the sole Champions Day contender to limber up for his weekend assignment with a final trial on the dirt yesterday morning. The Chairman’s Sprint Prize-bound six-year-old settled close to the speed and sauntered home in second in the 1,050m heat at Sha Tin under Matthew Poon Ming-fai.