Romantic Warrior's Hong Kong Cup bid in doubt after joint issue

Romantic Warrior’s tilt at a record-extending fifth straight Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) victory could be in doubt after scans revealed an issue with one of the champion galloper’s joints.

The Jockey Club said in a statement on Tuesday that the winner of a world record HK$288.7 million in prize money will undergo a more detailed veterinary assessment after “a change in one of the horse’s joints” was detected.

“The Club’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Services has provided advice on Romantic Warrior that the Club wishes to share with his many fans,” the statement said.

“Consistent with the Club’s world-class procedures for the care of our racehorses, Romantic Warrior has undergone detailed physical examinations, including the use of state-of-the-art imaging equipment at our veterinary hospital.

“This proactive screening has revealed a change in one of the horse’s joints that requires further detailed assessment by the veterinary team. More information will be provided in due course.”

Scans in May last year revealed changes in one of Romantic Warrior’s joints when he returned from his arduous Middle East campaign.

Danny Shum Chap-shing’s stable star underwent surgery later that month to have a screw inserted into his left front leg.

Last season’s joint Horse of the Year with superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior has been restricted to swimming in the past six days.

The Hong Kong Cup, which has been won by Romantic Warrior an unprecedented four consecutive years, is run on December 13.

News of the scans was part of a double blow for owner Peter Lau Pak-fai after his import Romantic Thor was injured en route to the airport on Tuesday, ruling him out of flying to Korea for next week’s Group Three Korea Cup (1,800m) at Seoul.

Defending champion Self Improvement, Beauty Waves and Gorgeous Win were on the flight to Korea, with the trio set to tackle the Group Three Korea Sprint (1,200m).

Quality sprinter Fast Network also flew out of Hong Kong on Tuesday, bound for Japan to run in next week’s Group Two Centaur Stakes (1,200m) at Hanshin and the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama.