'The most exciting race for 30 years' - Stewards' Cup showdown at Sha Tin

The stars have aligned for Sunday's Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin (8.05am) – a race some have said could be the best Hong Kong has staged.

A field of seven has assembled for the mile Group 1, including Golden Sixty,  Romantic Warrior and California Spangle, who shone when winning at Hong Kong's big international meeting before Christmas.

The trio featured prominently in the recent 2022 world rankings. Only four horses were deemed superior on turf than Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior, while California Spangle was rated 1lb below the pair on 123.

Successful in 22 of his 26 starts, Golden Sixty won this race in 2021 and has long been a flagbearer for the nation, but is older than his rivals and could not repel California Spangle when they met in last month's Hong Kong Mile.

"Obviously, there's been a lot of talk around it – it's a showdown," said Zac Purton, a five-time Hong Kong champion jockey who rides California Spangle. "Let's hope it goes down to the last 50 metres because we want it to be exciting.

"Of the horses left racing in the world, we have three actively racing inside the top ten – it's unique to have them going head to head here in Hong Kong and I think that explains the magnitude of the task.

"We want to ride these good horses in these big races, especially when we're faced with some challenges, and I have two strong challenges to come at me. I don't know who is going to come out on top."

Romantic Warrior, bought by Mick Kinane and initially prepared by Brian Meehan in Britain, drops back in trip having won the Hong Kong Cup over 1m2f last time.

"This is the first time I've been involved in a race like this and I'm really excited," his trainer Danny Shum said.

"It's a world-class race. I don't think it's just for the Hong Kong followers – it's a global race. In the last 30 years, this is the most exciting race – even though it's a small field." 

Further quality comes in the shape of Ryan Moore's mount Waikuku, successful in the Stewards' Cup in 2020 and last year.

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