Bidding for a record third G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) win with Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 April), trainer Danny Shum will hatch several different plans for the HK$28 million feature.

With Romantic Warrior cast into barrier 10 in the 11-horse field, Shum hopes McDonald can conjure a ride similar in quality to his winning display in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 25 February, but concedes the New Zealand jockey might have to be flexible tactically.

“(The draw is) not too bad, just 11 horses. Not much speed and you don’t know with the weather – if it’s raining or not,” Shum said. “So, I need to talk with James. Between me and James, we study the field and we make a plan – Plan A, Plan B and then we see what we can do.”

Attempting to become the first horse to win the FWD QEII Cup three times, Romantic Warrior will likely face a rain-affected track for the first time in his decorated career.

By Acclamation out of a Street Cry mare, Romantic Warrior handles fast ground with aplomb and Shum is quietly confident the six-time Group 1 winner can cope with softer surfaces as well.

“I don’t know (how he will handle a soft track), but according to the northern hemisphere pedigree, he should handle (the track). The percentage is more that he should handle than he shouldn’t handle,” Shum said.

Shum has respect for Dennis Yip-trained Massive Sovereign, who will attempt to emulate Romantic Warrior’s 2022 feat of progressing from BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) glory to FWD QEII Cup glory.

“He’s a good horse, no doubt, but he’s just raced four-year-olds in the Derby. Now, he’s jumped into Group 1 international horses, especially the very good (ones) at 2000 metres. It’s a very hard race for him as well, but he’s got a good draw. I don’t think Zac (Purton) will sit too far back with a small field, draw two.”

Returning to Hong Kong for a third visit with Dubai Honour, William Haggas is hopeful of a breakthrough success in the city.

“I’ve never had a winner in Hong Kong, so that really irks me. We’ve had a bit of luck abroad, in other places – but not Hong Kong, so I would like to get that monkey off my back,” the Englishman said.

“He’s run two good races in Hong Kong – the first one, he was a young horse when he was fourth in the (2021 LONGINES) Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and the second one, last year (when third in the FWD QEII Cup), I think he had a fairly gruelling time in Australia and probably got to Hong Kong a little bit too quickly.

“So, the start of his whole season has been geared around this race, the QEII.

“I think Romantic Warrior is an unbelievably good horse, a proven good horse, internationally as well. I’m sure Prognosis will run a good race – I’m sure our fellow will run a good race, too.

“I think the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby winner (Massive Sovereign) is a very interesting horse, so it’s going to be competitive.”

Sunday’s (28 April) 10-race card starts at Sha Tin with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (2000m) at 12.45pm.