'It will be the focus of the world' - star trio heading for Group 1 showdown

There is an early 2023 treat in store for Flat fans, with the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup shaping up to be a blockbuster fight between Hong Kong equine heavyweights Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and California Spangle.

The gelded trio are expected to lock horns at Sha Tin on Sunday, January 29.

Off the back of a devastating Hong Kong Cup triumph this month, Romantic Warrior is slated for a Hong Kong Triple Crown campaign, which kicks off with the Stewards’ Cup before the Hong Kong Gold Cup in February and Champions & Chater Cup in May.

A graduate of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when making 300,000gns to Mick Kinane from Corduff Stud in 2019, the son of Acclamation has won nine of his ten starts including two Group 1s.

California Spangle has won nine of his 14 starts having sold from The Castlebridge Consignment to MC Bloodstock for €150,000 at Goffs Orby the same year.

California Spangle: back for more in the Stewards’ CupCredit: Hkjc

Trainer Danny Shum believes the Stewards’ Cup will be the biggest hurdle Romantic Warrior will face in his Triple Crown bid, saying: “It’s a good race! It will be the focus of the world, and the Triple Crown is the goal this season.

"I think he can handle the 2,400 metres [of the Champions & Chater Cup]; the first run over 1,600 metres is the difficult one against Golden Sixty and California Spangle.

"He’s pulled up well and Karis [Teetan, jockey] has come to the stable each day to ride him. He’s happy with the horse."

Now a seven-year-old, Golden Sixty won first-up in the Jockey Club Mile over California Spangle before his younger adversary reversed the form in the Hong Kong Mile this month.

Trainer Francis Lui said: “Golden Sixty is okay – no problems, he is healthy and now goes to the Stewards’ Cup. It will be a good race to watch. He still wants to fight."

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