MCDONALD KEEN TO BE ROMANTICALLY LINKED AGAIN

New Zealand jockey reunites with Romantic Warrior at new HK stint

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HONG KONG - Fresh from a record-breaking Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington last week, James McDonald will reunite with Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior in the HK$5.35 million (S$920,000) Group 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Nov 17.

Currently leading the Longines World's Best Jockey standings with 160 points from Ryan Moore (150), McDonald will fly to Hong Kong on the night before after completing Australian riding commitments at Caulfield.

Sydney's eight-time champion jockey will start a short-term riding stint, which ends on Dec 22, just two weeks after he aims to ride Romantic Warrior to a record third HK$40 million Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) victory on Dec 8.

McDonald rode 22 winners and 30 minor placings from only 137 mounts in Hong Kong last season, earning connections HK$91.5 million prize money, and is excited to be reuniting with Romantic Warrior, whom he has piloted to seven Group 1 victories.

"It's always exciting to ride Romantic Warrior," said McDonald, who has won eight races aboard Danny Shum's champion galloper from only nine starts.

"I can't wait to see Romantic Warrior. He looks to be working well and trialling well. It's always exciting when his name is mentioned."