Romantic Warrior’s bid for an unprecedented third straight Hong Kong Cup is on track after the champion galloper returned in a blaze of glory to win Sunday’s Group Two BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2,000m).

Starting a raging $1.10 favourite on his first start in five months, Danny Shum Chap-shing’s superstar comfortably dispatched his rivals to waltz in by four-and-a-quarter lengths under star jockey James McDonald.

After cruising to the lead at the top of the straight, McDonald had time to give the eight-time Group One winner a pat before the finishing post, with Ka Ying Generation and Nimble Nimbus a distant second and third.

“He’s like the prize fighter, isn’t he? Heavyweight champion of the world,” McDonald beamed.

“You never really get nervous on him because he’s so good. He’s an incredible horse. I love him to bits and he’s very good.”

McDonald’s love for Romantic Warrior was on display post-race, with his two young daughters, Evie Belle and Mia, sporting the superstar galloper’s turquoise and white silks at Sha Tin.

After jumping well from the inside gate, Romantic Warrior settled three back on the fence and travelled smoothly under McDonald.

“You’ve still got to go out and do it and [from] barrier one, you’re dictated to a little bit but he’s just so good – he can get you out of situations that other horses can’t,” McDonald said after Romantic Warrior won his second Jockey Club Cup, having won the feature in 2022.

“Just a phenomenal horse, I’m so proud of him. He’s come back in terrific order, he never lets you down ever and he’s just got this amazing will to win. It’s something I’ve never come across.”

Romantic Warrior is fresh from a historic campaign, having won five consecutive Group Ones in three different countries – the latest in the Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) in Japan in June.

The son of Acclamation took another step towards breaking Golden Sixty’s world record $167 million, with Sunday’s win boosting his total earnings to $154.9 million.

He will now attempt to create history in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) on December 8, but Shum warned he would face a much tougher task against international opposition.

“[McDonald] told me the horse is still improving, but I told him on December 8 it will be two different stories,” Shum said.

“The field will be totally different – much, much, much stronger than today. You see the entries – wow, so many good horses. So it’s a tough race on December 8.”

Shum revealed another possible hurdle for Romantic Warrior – he will be vaccinated on Monday in preparation for overseas aims early next year.

Owner Peter Lau Pak-fai has set his sights on a bold dirt campaign, including the world’s richest race, the US$20 million Saudi Cup (1,800m) and US$12 million Dubai World Cup (2,000m).

He could also have a lead-up run in the Group One Al Maktoum Challenge (1,900m) in Dubai in January.

“He will have a vaccination injection tomorrow because the plan is to send him to Dubai,” Shum said.

“Tomorrow is the right time for his vaccination. I hope the vaccination does not make him feel bad. Sometimes you put in a vaccination, the horse gets a fever. It will be tough for him and the team not only in the next few weeks, but the next six months.

“If he runs well on December 8, the owner, Peter, is really keen to go. He deserves to have a try. It’s once-in-a-lifetime.”

Romantic Warrior delivered McDonald a Group Two double on Sunday, after the Kiwi ace also booted home Voyage Bubble in the Jockey Club Mile.