Many refer to the Cox Plate as the best two minutes in sport, and the 2023 edition of the Group 1 feature at Moonee Valley did not disappoint, as Romantic Warrior (+260) nosed out Mr Brightside (+800) in a photo finish to claim Australia's best race.
You couldn't have scripted the race any better, with one of the best from Hong Kong battling it out with one of the best horses from Australia in the final strides, with Hong Kong claiming victory.
The Danny Shum-trained galloper brought outstanding form lines from his wins throughout the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), and even though his lack-lustre performance in the Turnbull Stakes turned a few off him, he returned to winning ways in his target race of the campaign.
King Colorado (+2500) took the front along with Zaaki (+2200), but as usual in the Cox Plate, several moves were already being made by runners down the side of the course.
Alligator Blood (+500) pulled out to take over at the 300m mark and gave the eventual winner a lovely cart into the race, while Craig Williams took Mr Brightside to the fence and let down with a blistering turn of foot.
James McDonald on Romantic Warrior and Williams on Mr Brightside fought out the finish, but it was the last stride lunge from McDonald to get the winners head down that won him the race on the line.
2023 Cox Plate Replay – Romantic Warrior | T: Danny Shum | J: James McDonald
After claiming the Cox Plate, Danny Shum spoke post-race.
“First thing, I'd like to thank Moonee Valley Racing Club,” Shum said.
“Second, I want to say I am from China, Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong Jockey Club, there is some team. Thank you very much.
“I don't know how to tell you how happy I am. I am really happy.
“I want to thank Peter the owner for giving permission to come here.
“I was confident he would run a good race. It is a strong race.
“He overcame all of the challenges and the difficulties. James McDonald gave me a very good report.”
James McDonald has become the first jockey to win back-to-back Cox Plates on different horses in over 30 years.
“I showed belief. This horse is pretty special to me,” McDonald said of Romantic Warrior.
“I mentioned if he came to a Cox Plate he'd be a suitable horse.
“It is one of the best racing jurisdictions in the world and they come here and showcase their boy.
“I reckon he's got more to come, too.
“He's been bubbling. A significant amount of improvement like I thought he did (would) and he loves the bloody Valley!
“I knew I was on the right horse I kept going ‘he's the best horse, he's the best horse' so I'd ride him like it.
“I took a gamble about the 1000 (metres) or 1200.
“We elected to come back a spot and to the minute right now I believe that was the winning move.
“Giving my horse an extra length to come back.
“I let Alligator Blood near him knowing I think I can still beat him letting him out and having last crack.”