William Buick believes Rebel’s Romance is “as good as ever” ahead of the British raider’s bid for another international Group One in the Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin next Sunday.

Buick, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin have been a formidable force on the world stage and their instantly recognisable royal blue silks will descend on the city when Rebel’s Romance continues his globetrotting crusade in the HK$13 million contest.

The son of Dubawi has four Group Ones to his name and arrives in Hong Kong on the back of a scintillating victory in March’s Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,400m) at Meydan.

Sent off a 25-1 shot among a field containing many of the finest middle-distance horses in the world, Rebel’s Romance was prominent throughout and built up an unassailable lead in the home straight under an intelligent Buick ride.

The six-year-old will aim to add to his top-level successes in Dubai, Germany and America when he faces eight rivals on the Sha Tin turf and Buick, 35, believes his partner is in tip-top shape ahead of his arrival in Hong Kong on Saturday.

“[The Sheema Classic] was probably his best performance and he’s had a nice break since,” Buick said. “I saw him at home [on Wednesday] and he looked great, so fingers crossed he ships over well because you always need things to go your way in Hong Kong.

“He’s already a well-travelled horse but of course he’s never been to Hong Kong before, so it will be a new experience for him.

“He’s been super consistent. He’s a six-year-old now and dare I say it he’s probably as good as ever.”

Buick has partnered Rebel’s Romance in 10 of his 12 victories, including his Group One Preis von Europa (2,400m) success in Germany during his four-year-old campaign in 2022.

Fellow British rider James Doyle hopped aboard for his triumphs in the Group One Grosser Preis von Berlin (2,400m) at Hoppegarten racecourse and Group One Breeders’ Cup Turf (2,400m) in 2022.

“He’s been handled great by Charlie and the team,” Buick said. “He’s an incredibly versatile horse. There are not too many horses who have been as effective as he has on dirt and turf. It’s quite rare to see.

“He’s also versatile with regards to tactics which is always very helpful. I know when you come to Hong Kong it’s a place where you take nothing for granted.

“It’s incredibly tough and I always find the local horses on home soil are always tough to beat. We are certainly going over there with plenty of respect for the opposition.”

Rebel’s Romance will reoppose dual Champions & Chater Cup winner Russian Emperor after the Appleby-trained gelding got the better of Douglas Whyte’s stable star in the H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) in Qatar in February.

After an enterprising Buick ride, Rebel’s Romance left his rivals trailing in the Doha dust, with Russian Emperor six and a half lengths back in fifth.

Buick will be looking for a second Group One win in Hong Kong to go with his victory aboard Pakistan Star in the QE II Cup (2,000m) six years ago.

Before turning his attention to Sha Tin, Buick will look to continue his quick-fire start to the British flat season with five rides at Newbury on Saturday.

The Jockey Club will broadcast five races from Newbury’s Lockinge Stakes Day, while seven races will be offered for betting from Kranji Mile Day in Singapore.