Romantic Warrior breezed through his second trial of the campaign at Happy Valley on Saturday morning, leading throughout over 1,700m to impress jockey Hugh Bowman.

Bowman, who keeps the seat warm for race-day jockey James McDonald, was thrilled with the condition of the eight-time Group One winner six weeks out from his first-up run in the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m).

“Romantic Warrior was really good. He feels good,” Bowman said. “He was a bit fresh today. He doesn’t usually come out of the gates like that.

“I didn’t want to get caught in the traffic around Happy Valley, either, so when he jumped well, I was happy to roll forward on him. Of the few times I’ve ridden him, I think it’s the first time I’ve let him go to the front.

“He sustained a really nice pace throughout and extended up the straight without too much encouragement. He had a good blow but his fitness levels continue to improve.”

It was Romantic Warrior’s first trip to Happy Valley since November 2021, when he landed the second of his two victories at the city circuit to kick off his remarkable career.

After opting to give his stable star a change of scenery, trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing looked happy with Romantic Warrior’s trial effort ahead of a season that could see the six-year-old tackle the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) and Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) on dirt.

Behind 2022 Hong Kong Derby winner Romantic Warrior was this year’s winner of the city’s most prestigious race, Massive Sovereign, with Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s charge running third as he plots a course to the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) on November 3.

The trial also featured a string of horses being targeted at next year’s Derby, with Mark Newnham’s Fortune Superstar, who raced as Nor Time Nor Time for Joseph O’Brien in Ireland, running second and ex-Aidan O’Brien-trained pair Romantic Thor (formerly Capulet) and Elite Alliance (Battle Cry) rounding out the top five.