Romantic Warrior continued his march towards Triple Crown glory after leaving his rivals standing still in a jaw-dropping performance to win the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

It was a 13th Group One success for the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained global superstar, who produced one of his most devastating displays yet under James McDonald to win by four lengths eased down.

Sitting third behind long-time pacesetter Beauty Joy and second-running Ensued, Romantic Warrior was always travelling much the best and as the front pair joined up at the 350m pole, he cruised up to their quarters effortlessly.

The race was settled in a matter of strides, as McDonald breezed clear 300m out and quickly turned the race into a procession, with the Kiwi superstar able to ease Romantic Warrior down to give him a pat and a stroke down the mane.

It was an impressive finishing effort from a horse who had to recover from surgery to his left fore fetlock last May, and Shum once again praised the horse that has been a dream to train.

“It was a small field and he was very fit today; his condition is getting better and better,” said Shum. “I think he’s improved at least 20 per cent from his lead-up race.

“James said the horse was good. I always say I’m so proud of him – he makes me more money, he makes me more famous and he makes my dreams. We really look after him.”

The win was the second leg of the Triple Crown, with Romantic Warrior picking up the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) to kick off his bid.

He will now head for Champions Day on April 26 for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) before bidding to emulate Voyage Bubble’s win in the Triple Crown last year, when he became the first horse since River Verdon in 1994 to achieve that feat.

Shum also did not rule out a return to Saudi Arabia for the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m), the race he finished second in last year.

Connections opted to skip this year’s race in favour of the Triple Crown bid and as it stands, that looks to have been the correct decision.

“2,000m is his best trip, but he can handle the 2,400m trip too. I don’t know which overseas horses will be coming [for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup] but I think they have a lot of potential,” said Shum.

“I think he will now go to the QE II Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season.

“Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup – we will keep everything open for now.”

The significance of the win was not lost on his jockey, with McDonald cutting an emotional figure post-race as he took in another special performance from a horse that has taken him to Group One glory in Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

“He’s just beautifully prepared by Danny, his team has done a brilliant job. Every time I get on him, I just cherish the moment,” said McDonald. “Every time I hop on him, it feels so special.”

Ensued ran an enormous race to finish second, while the feel-good story of the race, Winning Wing, finished third for Dylan Mo Hin-tung.

Three of Mo’s four wins this season have come on the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained improver, who was rated 71 at the start of the season and after climbing to 90 before the Gold Cup, he might cop a few more.

“It was a good run. I’m very lucky I could get on this horse and I’m grateful to the owner and the trainer,” said Mo.

Voyage Bubble, last year’s Gold Cup winner, was the disappointment of the race, with his effort in the straight very short lived. He ultimately weakened into fifth behind My Wish, with Beauty Joy rounding out the field of six.