Matthew Poon Ming-fai and Romantic Thor stole the show when leading to win the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The Danny Shum Chap-shing-gilloper trained advanced in a field of seven horses after jumping from the second barrier with a minimum weight of 116lb. The five-year-old led from barrier to box with a well-rated ride from Poon in rain-affected conditions, and could not be caught by his rivals after being green-lit to $5.4 and sent off as third favourite.
“Danny and I knew he could do this and today he carried the light weight and he loved the track conditions. Before the race we were confident he would show something and we’re glad he did,” Poon said after Romantic Thor held on to beat Gentlemen Legacy by half a length.
“I didn’t feel like stopping at any stage and after the 1,000 meter race I asked him to gradually increase his speed and he was able to continue to the winning position, it was not easy to catch the other horses because they were also using power.
“So, the race went as well as we expected and we’re very glad it did.”
Shum was confident that the front runner would be able to put up a solid performance on the ride thanks to the light weight.
“I’m confident he can stay 2,400 meters, especially today,” Shum said.
“Look at the Group races – always the lightweight has got the first advantage. The second thing is that today he was the front runner – and he also fenced – he got all the advantages. He is quick, he can go forward, he can control the speed. So, he had everything to his advantage.
“Matthew, he controlled the pace very well. I always say Matthew is a very good jockey.”
Poon echoed Shum’s view that a 2,400m ride would be a suitable distance.
“I tried this horse a long time ago and he gave me the impression that he had one pace but he could stay, but he needed the right distance and we knew he would continue,” Poon said.
Looking ahead, the Group One Champions Cup and Chater Cup (2,400m) on May 24 appear to be the target, where Romantic Thor would take on the consistent holder and 14-time Group One winner Romantic Warrior.
“I need to talk to (owner) Peter (Lau Pak-fai). I think he will go (to Champions and Chater), so we have a pacemaker. It would be good to have two runners in him,” Shum said.
Romantic Thor conquers all! 💪
Previously raced by Aidan O’Brien as Capulet, The Justify raced to victory under Matthew Poon in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup at Sha Tin for trainer Danny Shum… #Competition of Love | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/tQGIrgk2Z4
– HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 3, 2026
The son of Justify, previously trained by Aidan O’Brien, had recorded two wins and three minor placings from five starts in Europe, including the List Dee Stakes (2,064m) at Chester. After being imported as a Derby player, he struggled with a hamstring injury and resumed racing in October last year.
After actively participating in the Third Class company this term, Shum entered the Romantic Race in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup following Lau’s encouragement.
“I need to thank the owner, Peter, because he made the decision,” Shum said.
“He was talking to me and he said ‘run in the QEII Cup.’ I said ‘run in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. He said ‘I think this horse has a dirty foundation, born in Ireland; he will be really strong. He can handle 2,000 meters in Ireland, so he can handle 2,400 meters. And only once a year is the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Put him in,’ — so it’s all his effort.”
Poon was delighted to win the race for the second time – both for Shum – after claiming the 2021 edition aboard Butterfield.
“Danny has given me a second Group Three in the same race – Danny is a brilliant trainer and I am very happy to ride this winner for him,” said Poon.
Out of the winner, the Tony Cruz-trained Gentleman Legacy ran the second game after tracking the winner from the first hurdle. Hot on the heels of Romantic Thor on the way home, the Showtime team couldn’t beat the leader when he weighed in at 135lb, but proved his ability over 2,400m.
Winning Wing, who also carried the top weight, finished strongly in third place. Pulled back from the fifth barrier after showing a slight early toe, he sat second last for most of the trip before Dylan Mo Hin-tung started to run from 600m and looked wide, but could not run down Romantic Thor and Gentleman Legacy who had better races ahead.
Nautical Force, the $2.6 favorite, ran a furlong fourth and pulled up with a lot of blood in the trachea, with Stunning Peach, Fortune Boy and Joy Of Spring rounding out the field.
Poon went on to get a two-race lead aboard the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Volcanic Spark when adjusting Vermilion Tempest by a neck. Coming into the race having finished three of his last four starts, the six-year-old made one final save for his rivals, which paid off.
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