Oisin Murphy: 'Romantic Warrior has been absolutely extraordinary but they all have proper Group 1 form and my ride is very high quality'

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Oisin Murphy is relishing the opportunity to take on the might of Hong Kong in Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The five-time British champion jockey will be reunited with Royal Champion for the HK$30 million (£2.83m/€3.25m) FWD QEII Cup after sealing a Group 1 breakthrough for the Karl Burke-trained eight-year-old in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia in February.

Murphy is aware Royal Champion will need to step up if he is to dethrone Romantic Warrior, who is bidding for his fourth win in the race on the back of a flawless campaign.

He said: “It was nice for Karl to give me a chance on Royal Champion in Saudi Arabia. He gave me a very good feel. He’s a strong traveller with a good turn of foot and he loves fast ground. He felt like a very high-quality horse.

“Obviously, we don’t know the make-up of the race speed-wise yet, but hopefully it will be pretty straightforward for him. He seems to enjoy racing in a similar position to Romantic Warrior.

Royal Champion: won the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi ArabiaCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“When everything is final, we’ll be able to see what the race looks like. I suppose in an ideal world, there’s a bit of speed on and everyone gets a good trip around and it’s a nice fair race.

“I think they all bring a strong level of form – they all have proper Group 1 form. Romantic Warrior has achieved more than most horses, he’s been absolutely extraordinary and it’s a very good running of the race.”

Murphy rides the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Comanche Brave, a Group 2 third when last in action in Saudi Arabia in February, in the HK$24 million (£2.27m/€2.60m) Chairman's Sprint Prize, a race headed by the world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising.

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“It’s obviously a very tough event, but he looks like he’s improving, and hopefully he can run another big race," said Murphy.

“There’s no pressure because everyone is aware that if Ka Ying Rising is at his best then he’s going to win, but horses can underperform and we’ll just see what happens.”

FWD QEII Cup (Sha Tin, Sunday)
William Hill: 10-11 Romantic Warrior, 2 Masquerade Ball, 7 Sosie, 10 Royal Champion, 25 Giovanni, 33 bar.

Chairman's Sprint Prize (Sha Tin, Sunday)
bet365: 1-25 Ka Ying Rising, 12 Helios Express, 16 Satono Reve, 18 Fast Network, 33 Native Approach, 50 Comanche Brave, Raging Blizzard, 80 bar.

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