Sha Tin Race 9 - The Fwd Qeii Cup (G1)
ROMANTIC WARRIOR (2) made it four wins in-a-row last start when bolting in to score the Hong Kong Gold Cup in dominant fashion. He's been trialling well since that performance and this looks to shape favourably for him again. Can continue his winning ways the big champ. MASQUERADE BALL (1) won The Tenno Sho before taking it right up to the World's Best horse in the Japan Cup most recently where he jumped favourite. Hasn't raced since November, but he rates highly off those efforts and is still a lightly raced entire on the rise. Can take it right up to the Warrior. ROYAL CHAMPION (3) was very good through the Middle East when bolting in at Riyadh most recently. Draws the inside here and should get every chance in the run. Can finish in the money. NUMBERS (8) was strong when setting the tempo in the Derby. Will give them something to catch with his racing pattern.

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation second of 17 at Tokyo in the G1 Japan Cup November 30 over 2400m, a head behind Calandagan with 56.0kg at $2.50. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 0.8 len Tokyo G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) November 2 over 2000m defeating Museum Mile with 56.0kg at $2.70. Showed he was one of the World's Best in the Japan Cup and he is the main danger.
Last Starts 147 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/17 | 30/11/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3U | $9,527,780.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Christophe Lemaire | 56kg | 2:20.30 | 10-9-2 | 15 |
| 0.2L | $2.50 |
| 1/14 | 02/11/2025 | 154 | G1 OPEN 3U | $5,697,020.00 | Tokyo | 2000m | Good | Christophe Lemaire | 56kg | 1:58.60 | - | 7 |
| 0.8L | $2.70 |
| 2/18 | 01/06/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 3 | $6,583,760.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 57kg | 2:23.70 | 8-7-2 | 17 |
| 0.8L | $6.80 |
| 3/18 | 20/04/2025 | 63 | G1 OPEN 3 | $4,487,760.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Takeshi Yokoyama | 57kg | 1:57.00 | 11-13-3 | 6 |
| 1.8L | $13.70 |
| 1/9 | 16/02/2025 | 50 | G3 OPEN 3 | $809,180.00 | Tokyo | 1800m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 57kg | 1:46.00 | - | 2 |
| 1.0L | $3.80 |
| 11/18 | 28/12/2024 | 70 | G1 OPEN 2 | $1,394,310.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | K Tosaki | 56kg | 2:00.50 | 14-10-11 | 18 |
| 7.9L | $9.90 |

Jockey: James McDonald
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. Returns from a 56-day let-up. Last start favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; scored a big 4 len win at this track G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup March 1 over 2000m defeating Ensued carrying 57kg. The run before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at this track G1 Stewards' Cup January 25 over 1600m defeating Lucky Sweynesse carrying 57kg at $1.50. He's an absolute champion and he can make it five wins in-a-row.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/10 | 14/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:36.10 | - | 10 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/7 | 26/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:10.70 | - | 6 |
| 1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/6 | 01/03/2026 | 35 | G1 OPEN | $2,333,932.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:59.77 | 3-3-1 | 4 |
| 4.0L | $1.00 |
| 1/9 | 25/01/2026 | 42 | G1 OPEN | $2,495,202.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:32.60 | 4-2-1 | 7 |
| 1.8L | $1.50 |
| 1/7 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $7,874,016.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:02.29 | 4-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.8L | $1.10 |
| 1/9 | 23/11/2025 | 232 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | James McDonald | 58kg | 2:03.72 | 3-2-1 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $1.40 |
| 2/11 | 05/04/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 4U | $2,173,913.00 | Meydan | 1800m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:45.84 | 2-1-2 | 9 |
| 0.0L | $1.28 |
| 2/14 | 22/02/2025 | 29 | SAUG1 CUP 4U | $8,583,691.00 | Riyadh Dirt | 1800m | Fast | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:49.10 | - | 3 |
| 0.3L | $3.00 |

Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming. Only had one start last preparation favourite; scored a big 5 len win at Riyadh SAUG1 NEOM TURF CUP February 14 over 2100m defeating Facteur Cheval carrying 57kg at $2.62. First up last campaign 6th of 10 at Flemington in the LR Headquarters on October 5 2024 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Uncle Bryn with 61kg at $3.80. Racing well and should get his chance from the inside.
Last Starts 71 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 14/02/2026 | 92 | SAUG1 CUP 4U | $1,123,596.00 | Riyadh | 2100m | Good | Oisin Murphy | 57kg | 2:06.22 | - | 7 |
| 4.8L | $2.62 |
| 1/8 | 14/11/2025 | 62 | BHRG2 CL1 TRPHY 3U | $1,526,718.00 | Sakhir | 2000m | Good Firm | James Doyle | 58kg | 2:01.58 | - | 3 |
| 0.8L | $2.87 |
| 3/8 | 13/09/2025 | 49 | G1 OPEN 3U | $2,121,770.00 | Leopardstown | 2011m | GY | Clifford Lee | 61kg | 2:04.69 | - | 7 |
| 3.0L | $19.00 |
| 1/7 | 26/07/2025 | 38 | G2 OPEN 3U | $272,240.00 | York | 2112m | Good | Clifford Lee | 61kg | 2:05.64 | 5-4-1 | 3 |
| 2.8L | $9.00 |
| 7/8 | 18/06/2025 | 54 | G1 OPEN 4U | $2,180,840.00 | Ascot Uk | 2011m | Good Firm | Clifford Lee | 58kg | 2:02.51 | 2-1-7 | 6 |
| 8.3L | $26.00 |
| 4/7 | 25/04/2025 | 62 | G3 OPEN 4U | $156,830.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 2001m | Good | Clifford Lee | 59.5kg | 2:11.22 | 3-6-4 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $5.00 |
| 2/5 | 30/04/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sunshine Coast Inner Track | 1000m | Heavy | Jim Byrne | 1:03.23 | - | 2 |
| 3L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Maxime Guyon
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Back from a spell. Only had one start last campaign favourite; won by 0.8 len at this track G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase December 14 over 2400m defeating Giavellotto with 57kg at $2.70. First up last campaign made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Longchamp in the G2 Prix Foy on September 7 over 2400m, 0.5 len behind Byzantine Dream with 58.5kg at $2.60. Hasn't raced since winning the Vase here in December and won't be fat away while fresh.
Last Starts 133 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 14/12/2025 | 70 | G1 OPEN | $5,118,110.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Good | Maxime Guyon | 57kg | 2:28.05 | 4-3-1 | 8 |
| 0.8L | $2.70 |
| 3/17 | 05/10/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN HM 3U | $8,928,570.00 | Longchamp | 2400m | Soft | Stephane Pasquier | 59.5kg | 2:29.17 | 11-10-3 | 3 |
| 5.7L | $13.00 |
| 2/9 | 07/09/2025 | 64 | G2 OPEN 4U | $212,500.00 | Longchamp | 2400m | Good Soft | Maxime Guyon | 58.5kg | 2:28.32 | 4-4-2 | 1 |
| 0.5L | $2.60 |
| 6/6 | 05/07/2025 | 41 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,845,020.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 2001m | Good Firm | Maxime Guyon | 61kg | 2:05.92 | 2-1-6 | 4 |
| 4.5L | $6.50 |
| 1/6 | 25/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 4U | $444,050.00 | Longchamp | 1850m | Good Soft | Maxime Guyon | 58kg | 1:51.88 | 4-4-1 | 4 |
| 1.0L | $1.70 |
| 1/6 | 27/04/2025 | 203 | G1 OPEN 4U | $518,130.00 | Longchamp | 2100m | Good Soft | Maxime Guyon | 58kg | 2:10.71 | 4-3-1 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $3.50 |

Jockey: Jason Collett
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. Resumes off a 42 day letup. First-up 7th of 16 at Nakayama in the G2 American Jockey Club Cup on January 25 over 2200m, 4 len behind Shohei with 56.0kg at $4.40. Second run from a spell 2nd of 14 at Chukyo in the G2 Kinko Sho on March 15 over 2000m, nose behind Shake Your Heart carrying 57.0kg at $8.70. Looks tested against this line-up.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/14 | 15/03/2026 | 49 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,163,480.00 | Chukyo | 2000m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 1:58.10 | 1-4-2 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $8.70 |
| 7/16 | 25/01/2026 | 91 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,147,090.00 | Nakayama | 2200m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 56kg | 2:10.80 | 12-13-7 | 4 |
| 4.0L | $4.40 |
| 8/18 | 26/10/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $4,179,070.00 | Kyoto | 3000m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 3:04.00 | 9-16-8 | 5 |
| 4.5L | $11.90 |
| 3/10 | 21/09/2025 | 112 | G2 OPEN 3 | $1,087,940.00 | Hanshin | 2400m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 2:26.40 | 4-3-3 | 2 |
| 2.1L | $4.60 |
| 8/18 | 01/06/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 3 | $6,583,760.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 2:23.70 | 8-9-8 | 9 |
| 4.7L | $15.90 |
| 4/18 | 20/04/2025 | 29 | G1 OPEN 3 | $4,487,760.00 | Nakayama | 2000m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 57kg | 1:57.00 | 6-10-4 | 5 |
| 2.3L | $23.40 |

Jockey: Joao Moreira
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Not raced for 42 days. Resuming tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.5 len at Kyoto G2 Kyoto Kinen February 15 over 2200m defeating Eri King carrying 57.0kg at $15.90. Last start came from midfield; 4th of 14 at Chukyo in the G2 Kinko Sho on March 15 over 2000m, 0.9 len behind Shake Your Heart carrying 58.0kg at $7.70. Outside chance.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/14 | 15/03/2026 | 28 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,163,480.00 | Chukyo | 2000m | Good | Yutaka Take | 58kg | 1:58.10 | 7-3-4 | 2 |
| 0.9L | $7.70 |
| 1/12 | 15/02/2026 | 64 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,109,940.00 | Kyoto | 2200m | Good | Y Fujioka | 57kg | 2:12.70 | 2-2-1 | 12 |
| 0.5L | $15.90 |
| 3/18 | 13/12/2025 | 69 | G3 OPEN 3U | $810,560.00 | Chukyo | 2000m | Good | Y Fujioka | 57kg | 1:57.60 | 12-6-3 | 3 |
| 1.1L | $9.50 |
| 12/18 | 05/10/2025 | 22 | G2 OPEN 3U | $1,347,690.00 | Kyoto | 2400m | Good | Yuji Hishida | 57kg | 2:23.90 | 14-18-12 | 15 |
| 5.3L | $28.20 |
| 10/15 | 13/09/2025 | 90 | G3 OPEN 3U | $859,090.00 | Hanshin | 2000m | Good | Y Fujioka | 57.5kg | 1:58.00 | 13-13-10 | 9 |
| 4.8L | $14.50 |
| 16/17 | 15/06/2025 | 36 | G1 OPEN 3U | $6,211,900.00 | Hanshin | 2200m | Good | Y Fujioka | 58kg | 2:11.10 | 2-3-16 | 14 |
| 20.1L | $210.30 |

Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming got back early 10th of 14 at this track on March 22 over 1400m, 6 len behind Winning Ovation with 61kg at $50. Second run from a spell 12th of 14 at this track in the G2 Chairman's Trophy on April 6 over 1600m, 7 len behind Lucky Sweynesse with 56kg at $67. Can't entertain on that form.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 14/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Brenton Avdulla | 1:36.10 | - | 8 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 | |
| 12/14 | 06/04/2026 | 15 | G2 OPEN | $994,424.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Lyle Hewitson | 56kg | 1:33.65 | 8-10-12 | 6 |
| 7.3L | $67.00 |
| 10/14 | 22/03/2026 | 133 | RST105-80 | $509,874.00 | Sha Tin | 1400m | Good Firm | Hugh Bowman | 61kg | 1:20.12 | 14-14-10 | 14 |
| 6.3L | $50.00 |
| 6/10 | 10/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:10.56 | - | 9 |
| 2.5L | $0.00 | |
| 10/13 | 09/11/2025 | 14 | G3 OPEN | $825,147.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 56kg | 1:47.35 | 12-12-10 | 13 |
| 5.0L | $5.50 |
| 9/13 | 26/10/2025 | 28 | RST105-75 | $610,568.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Hugh Bowman | 61kg | 1:33.03 | 12-10-9 | 12 |
| 2.5L | $7.70 |
| 5/14 | 28/09/2025 | 126 | G3 OPEN | $825,147.00 | Sha Tin | 1400m | Good Firm | Hugh Bowman | 59kg | 1:20.79 | 14-14-5 | 14 |
| 2.3L | $20.00 |
| 2/10 | 25/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN | $2,620,968.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 57kg | 2:26.67 | 8-8-2 | 8 |
| 3.5L | $19.00 |

Jockey: Derek Leung
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 35-day let-up. At the latest run rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 14 at this track Hong Kong Derby on March 22 over 2000m, 1.3 len behind Invincible Ibis with 57kg at $5.30. The start before that made ground from midfield; 4th of 14 at this track Hong Kong Classic Cup on March 1 over 1800m, 1.5 len behind Stormy Grove with 57kg at $3.80. Creates interest with his racing pattern.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 14/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Derek Leung | 1:36.10 | - | 6 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 2/14 | 22/03/2026 | 21 | OPEN 4 | $4,667,864.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Derek Leung | 57kg | 1:59.43 | 1-1-2 | 13 |
| 1.3L | $5.30 |
| 4/14 | 01/03/2026 | 21 | OPEN 4 | $2,333,932.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 57kg | 1:46.62 | 7-1-4 | 11 |
| 1.5L | $3.80 |
| 1/7 | 08/02/2026 | 43 | G3 OPEN | $767,824.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 53kg | 1:46.36 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 2.0L | $1.70 |
| 1/8 | 20/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Derek Leung | 1:36.91 | - | 5 |
| 1.75L | $0.00 | |
| 1/9 | 27/12/2025 | 17 | RST100-75 | $614,173.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Derek Leung | 54kg | 2:00.94 | 1-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.0L | $6.00 |
| 3/12 | 10/12/2025 | 186 | RST100-80 | $614,173.00 | Happy Valley | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 55.5kg | 1:49.11 | 1-1-3 | 2 |
| 1.3L | $14.00 |
| 2/17 | 07/06/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,000,000.00 | Eagle Farm | 2400m | Soft 5 | Mark Zahra | 57kg | 2:31.33 | 10-6-2 | 9 |
| 1.0L | $12.00 |