James McDonald is never one to shy away from a battle and the superstar Kiwi is confident Romantic Warrior can deliver a knockout blow in Sunday’s heavyweight clash with Voyage Bubble in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m).

Aiming to add a sixth elite-level contest to his glittering CV, Romantic Warrior faces last month’s Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) hero, Voyage Bubble, for the first time.

Adding to the task at hand is the fact Danny Shum Chap-shing’s stable star has drawn gate 11, with the potential for Romantic Warrior to be caught wide from the tricky Sha Tin 2,000m start.

While it is the first time the galloper has been set the task of negotiating the widest gate in a field since his 1,200m debut win at Happy Valley in October 2021, McDonald is undaunted by the challenge.

“He’s drawn wide, but it is what it is. The Warrior will get it done,” McDonald said. “He’s had a few crowning moments, but it would be nice to have this on the mantelpiece as well.

“He’s different to most other horses. You go to the races pretty much unfazed and you just get the job done nearly every time.”

McDonald partnered the 2022 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero to one of his two Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) wins and was aboard the son of Acclamation for both of his Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) triumphs.

A trip to Australia for October’s Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) also yielded a successful result, with Romantic Warrior and McDonald grinding out a narrow victory.

“I just admire the horse,” McDonald said. “He’s an extremely good galloper, as tough as they come and I’ve got great respect for him. You know he’s going to do his absolute best.”

McDonald made one his regular fleeting visits to Hong Kong last month to hop aboard Voyage Bubble in the Stewards’ Cup, with the pair scooting clear to salute.

With McDonald unable to stick with Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s stable star, Zac Purton reunites with the galloper.

“Romantic’s beaten most of these before, but he hasn’t beaten Voyage Bubble – he’s the new kid on the block I suppose,” McDonald said.

“They’re both extremely good horses and basically at the peak of their powers, but Voyage Bubble has got his own challenges taking on the beast over 2,000m. His win in the Stewards’ Cup was great but Romantic Warrior’s form is impeccable.”

McDonald has become part of the furniture in Hong Kong’s recent Group One fixtures and heads to Sha Tin armed with an eight-strong book of rides for five different trainers.

“I enjoy riding in Hong Kong,” McDonald said. “It’s a bit different to Australia, things seem to happen a bit quicker I suppose. You’re throwing in jockeys from all around the world and everyone has their different attributes and skills, so it is always good fun.”

McDonald teams up with a pair of youngsters bidding to go one better than their runner-up efforts last time out.

The John Size-trained duo of Young Champion, who contests the Class Three Citi Investment Services Handicap (1,400m), and Must Go, who lines up in the second section of the Class Four Citi Ultima Handicap (1,200m), head to Sha Tin with winning chances.