Cox Plate favourite gets first glimpse of Moonee Valley
James McDonald is satisfied with the progress Romantic Warrior has made towards the Cox Plate since the Hong Kong star's last start defeat in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Fresh from notching his 81st victory at Group One level at Randwick on Saturday, James McDonald took an evening flight to Melbourne to partner the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) favourite in a track gallop at Moonee Valley on Sunday morning over 1400-metres.
It was the first time the five-year-old had been around the tighter Valley circuit for which McDonald said should suit the horse better than Flemington.
"He was a bit more relaxed and got into a beautiful rhythm," McDonald said.
"Most importantly, he took to The Valley like a duck to water.
"He was fantastic when he cornered well, accelerated around the bend and zipped home really well.
"He's come on and we saw glimpses of that this morning."
The boom didn't quite bust on the three-time winner at the highest level at home when Romantic Warrior was beaten as an odds-on favourite in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) by Gold Trip on October 6.
Post-race, McDonald noted that Romantic Warrior felt like he had needed that run. Now, that progress has come along.
"What I'm glad about is that it is three weeks between the Turnbull and the Cox Plate," he added.
"If it was two weeks we probably would have been chasing our tail just a tad but in saying that he has come on immensely.
"He just needed that run so badly as he was very fresh and it was evident in the way he loomed and compounded."
How impressive Gold Trip was in winning the Turnbull Stakes, and with the performances since of other Cox Plate rivals, McDonald isn't letting those efforts dent his confidence in Romantic Warrior.
Also on Saturday, Alligator Blood won the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) impressively while Mr Brightside finished second behind McDonald's mount, Fangirl, in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes over 1600-metres.
"We're not too concerned about the opposition," McDonald said.
"It is more if he gets there in 100 per-cent order then he will look after most of them.
"I know Mr Brightside got defeated but he still ran terrifically well, and Alligator Blood was great.
"He's got lengths to make up on Gold Trip but it is doable.
"The picture is changing and it is wide open (but) as long as we can get this horse there in peak form, it will take one hell of a horse to beat him."
Online bookies currently have Romantic Warrior as the $4 favourite for the Cox Plate on October 28 with Alligator Blood and Gold Trip sharing the second line of betting at $7.
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