Ghostwriter all set for showdown with Romantic Warrior

Clive Cox is confident Ghostwriter can gain the rewards his efforts at three deserve when he takes on some of the world’s best on his reappearance in the Dubai Turf at Meydan.

Owned by Jeff Smith, the son of Invincible Spirit was a consistent performer throughout his three-year-old season, and having regularly locked horns with City Of Troy in 2024, begins the new campaign with a clash against Danny Shum’s global superstar Romantic Warrior.

“He’s due to leave on Saturday morning and we’ve been very happy with his preparations,” said Cox.

“He’s got a long journey ahead and then next week we’re very hopeful he can reproduce the consistent form he showed last year.

“He was extremely consistent last year and we’re happy he has done really well over the early part of winter and had a good lead up to this race.”

As well as Hong Kong-based Romantic Warrior, Japan’s Liberty Island and Soul Rush could be in opposition, while Jerome Reynier’s French raider Facteur Cheval adds further spice to a contest he won 12 months ago.

However, Cox is positive Ghostwriter’s form stands up favourably with his rivals, taking plenty of encouragement in particular from his third-placed effort in York’s Juddmonte International, which was officially recognised by Longines as the world’s best race in 2024.

“This is going to be a very good comparison for us up against the Japanese horses and the other international competitors,” added Cox.

“But I’m very happy we ran a very respectable race behind City Of Troy in what was quoted as the best race in the world at York in the International and I hope that form can translate well when up against the international form.”