J-Mac back in HK and back on Romantic Warrior

James McDonald has arrived in Hong Kong ahead of his seven-week riding stint, which will include him re-uniting with champion Romantic Warrior.

Fresh from a Group 1 win aboard Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes on Saturday, McDonald has six rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday, starting out with two rides for Danny Shum aboard Foremost Teddy in Race 1 and Taj Dragon in Race 9.

He also has rides for John Size, Pierre Ng (two) and Jamie Richards.

Romantic Warrior, who underwent fetlock surgery in May, returns in the Jockey Club Cup on November 28 before he bids for a fourth Hong Kong Cup in December.

McDonald rode Romantic Warrior in trackwork at Sha Tin on Tuesday.

“I jumped out of bed pretty quickly this morning, that’s for sure, especially as he was my first ride of the morning and he just looks phenomenal,” McDonald told SCMP.

“He’s prepping up nicely. Danny’s really, really happy with him. That’s the main thing and he felt good this morning.

“He’s working every bit as good as what he was in March and he’s had a nice, slow build-up and a long break and he seems to have enjoyed that.

“A fourth Hong Kong Cup would be good, that would be for sure. That’s going to be something special to be a part of with the build-up with him.”