Danny Shum Chap-shing walked away from Tokyo racecourse on Friday morning confident everything is in place for Romantic Warrior’s audacious tilt at a fifth consecutive Group One in Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (1,600m).

The veteran trainer was pleased to see Romantic Warrior draw barrier seven in the 18-runner field and says he will leave the tactics to Kiwi ace James McDonald, who has three rides on the undercard.

“We’re happy with [barrier] seven and the owner is also lucky with seven,” Shum said. “It should be easier for James to hold a position from there - very happy.”

Romantic Warrior heads to the HK$21.6 million contest aiming to achieve a monumental feat of triumphing at the top level in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan in the same season.

The son of Acclamation won the Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) and this season’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) from gate seven, and Shum is confident McDonald’s experience in the saddle will allow Romantic Warrior to thrive from the same barrier on the undulating Tokyo turf.

“James is the world-class number one,” Shum said. “He has a lot of experience so I’m confident he can handle it.

“Every time they go a fast pace in Japan, but if they go a slow pace he can stay in the right position. I’ll leave it to James, he knows the horse and studies the field. He has other rides on Sunday, so he’ll be able to know which part of the track is better.”

Shum was at the centre of one of Hong Kong’s most daring international raids with the Ivan Allan-trained Fairy King Prawn, who became the city’s first overseas Group One winner in the Yasuda Kinen in 2000.

The veteran handler, then the assistant to Allan, believes his previous Japanese experience can give him an upper hand as he bids to repeat that feat on Sunday.

“It’s a big advantage,” Shum said. “My previous boss Ivan Allan gave me a big opportunity to come here so of course it’s a bit of an edge for me.”

A victory by Romantic Warrior or Voyage Bubble, who jumps from barrier 15, will mark Hong Kong’s first win in the Yasuda Kinen since the Tony Cruz-trained Bullish Luck in 2006.

A win would also put Romantic Warrior on track for the Group One Takarazuka Kinen (2,200m) at Hanshin racecourse on June 23.

“He’s good and healthy,” Shum said. “He’s very fit and he doesn’t need fast work anymore. Just keep him happy, keep him healthy.

“I think if the pace is fast - I do hope the pace is fast - Romantic Warrior has natural speed. He can sit wherever he’s comfortable and he’s got an engine so he can hit the line strong.”

Romantic Warrior has collected HK$142 million in prize money through his 19 starts and will aim to take another step closer to Golden Sixty’s record of HK$167 million, with HK$10 million up for grabs for the winner of Sunday’s contest.

Shum picked out a pair of gallopers who he rated his most immediate dangers in the Yasuda Kinen.

“I think Voyage Bubble and Soul Rush are the two main dangers,” Shum said. “Some horses are good but not really outstanding. I’ve watched their races and I think we have a chance.”