WITH the weather set fair for an 11-race programme at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday, racegoers can witness the final Group One race of the season, the mile-and-a-half Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (9.05am).

All eyes will be one horse, 14-time Group One winner Romantic Warrior, who steps out on to the turf seeking to become only the third horse in Hong Kong history to complete the coveted Triple Crown.

Having already collected the Stewards Cup and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup on his journey to the final leg, many will see this as a victory parade for the eight-year-old who has an unblemished five from five record this season.

The 12-furlong trip may be of slight concern to some, remembering the champion tasting defeat to Russian Emperor in this corresponding race three seasons back, but the Warrior has improved both mentally and physically since and looks unbeatable.

With his odds likely to be unbackable, the question is who can chase him home.

Japanese raiders Deep Monster and Rousham Park bring some international flavour to the contest, having proved out-and-out stayers in their country.

The former, who is ridden by Joao Moreira, is a dual Group Two winner over the trip, while Rousham Park chased home Rebel’s Romance in the Group One Breeders Cup Turf in 2024.

Romantic Thor, the stable companion to Romantic Warrior, did win the mile-and-a-half Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup on soft ground earlier this month, when beating rivals Gentlemen Legacy and Winning Wing.

He was, however, receiving plenty of weight in that contest, and despite Zac Purton climbing on board, he will be lucky to confirm placings.

Former BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat was placed third in this contest behind Voyage Bubble last season and produced an encouraging performance when second to My Wish in the FWD Champions Mile last month.

However, he has suffered health issues in the past, which is a concern. A better alternative may be Numbers, the runner-up in this year’s BMW HK Derby. He finally steps up to his optimum distance, having finished runner-up in the Group One Queensland Derby over 12 furlongs in Australia in June last year.

With trainer Frankie Lor confident his stable star is in prime condition, he could prove the forecast wager with the favourite.

POINTER

Romantic Warrior/Numbers (straight forecast)            9.05am         Sha Tin