Hong Kong Cup Tips - Romantic Warrior bids to make history at Sha Tin

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: 07 Dec 2024

Alex Marsh 07 Dec 2024

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The Group 1 Hong Kong Cup will be contested on Sunday, December 8
Romantic Warrior is the favorite at Sha Tin, seeking a historic third win
Japanese contender Liberty Island and Encountered offer value for each-way bets

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Romantic Warrior winning the 2023 Hong Kong Cup. (Getty)

The Hong Kong Cup is run over 2000m at Sha Tin and is the last of four Group 1s run on the Hong Kong International Race Day.

A mixture of local, Japanese and European visitors make up the final field for the 2024 Hong Kong Cup, which sees Romantic Warrior head the market.

Will the reigning champion make it three wins in the Cup?

Hong Kong Cup Tips

Best Bet - Romantic Warrior

Romantic Warrior is looking to create history at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the champion galloper aiming to be become the first horse to win three Hong Kong Cups.

The Danny Shum-trained gelding has won his last six starts, with that streak beginning in the 2023 Cox Plate and he was terrific via his recent return over the Sha Tin 2000m.

Romantic Warrior recorded a 4.3-length triumph fresh, which was a more brilliant contrast in comparison to some of the more workmanlike victories that he delivered earlier in his career.

Next Best Bet - Liberty Island

Japan-based gallopers have won eight Hong Kong Cups and Liberty Island is a four-time Group 1 winner in Japan who was runner-up to a champion in Equinox via the 2023 Japan Cup.

The four-year-old is looking to atone from a disappointing return in The Tenno Sho on October 27 and along with being wide there, it's also worth noting that she was fresh off an injury-enforced break.

Connections have been thrilled with her progress since that last effort, with sharp work recorded at Sha Tin on Wednesday and a much improved showing is predicted here.

Value Bet - Encountered

He didn't receive the best ride two starts back when rising sharply in distance, where Encountered was the about the only galloper making any ground on the inside in that 1800m event.

While he was well held behind Romantic Warrior last time out, however, the gelding arguably should've finished in the money, as he found trouble and was checked at the 200m.

It would be a shock if he was to upset Romantic Warrior, but he's local that's been producing hidden runs via the recent lead-up's and a top three/four finish wouldn't surprise.

Verdict

Hong Kong Cup

Our tips for the 2024 Hong Kong Cup are:

Romantic Warrior

To Win

@1/2 - 4 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Encountered

Each Way

@100/1 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Bet at bet365