Romantic Warrior lost Cox Plate favouritism but not superstar rider James McDonald’s faith in his ability to win Australia’s weight-for-age championship race later this month when Danny Shum Chap-shing’s galloper finished a four-length fourth in Saturday’s Group One Turnbull Stakes (2,000m) at Flemington.

Australian bookmakers demoted Romantic Warrior below Amelia’s Jewel in their Cox Plate markets after the three-time Group One winner failed to become only the second Hong Kong-trained horse to win in Australia.

Last season’s Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) hero Gold Trip won the Turnbull Stakes by one and three-quarter lengths, with West Wind Blows and Soulcombe also passing the past before Romantic Warrior.

But even though McDonald, the 2022 Longines World’s Best Jockey Award winner, experienced defeat aboard Romantic Warrior for the first time following their three successful partnerships in past campaigns, he was keen to focus on what he viewed as positives.

“He went really well. He was a bit fresh. He was a bit big in condition, so he did extremely well to finish fourth carrying a penalty,” McDonald said. “I think a Cox Plate will suit him much better.”

Romantic Warrior’s loyal Hong Kong fan base ensured he began the Turnbull Stakes at short odds on the World Pool – he was the Jockey Club-powered global tote’s $1.55 favourite, compared to the Australian $2.45 starting price – but never did he look like kicking off his overseas campaign with a victory.

Typically quick out of the gates, Romantic Warrior settled in the Turnbull Stakes front rank. He was second at the 1,600m marker before a combination of McDonald easing him and competitors overtaking him resulted in him reaching the halfway point sixth.

Four lengths off the lead as the capacity Turnbull Stakes field entered the Flemington home straight, Romantic Warrior did not produce his customary burst of acceleration as Gold Trip stormed down the middle of the track to overtake eventual runner-up West Wind Blows at the 200m pole, while third-place finisher Soulcombe ran on strongly next to the fence.

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Shum was slightly less upbeat than McDonald about Romantic Warrior’s Turnbull Stakes run – “I can’t say I’m happy, but I’m not disappointed” – but the trainer took comfort from the jockey’s post-race feedback.

“James told me not to panic,” Shum said. “The horse breathed quite hard. He tired over the last 100m. James didn’t give him a hard time. He’s not 100 per cent fit yet, but this race will put him spot on for the Cox Plate, which has always been his target.

“We used this race to see how he’d handle the left turn and the Australian atmosphere. He hadn’t raced for close to five months. He needed the run. James told me he’ll be back to top form in three weeks.”

The Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) will take place at Moonee Valley on October 28. The four gallopers at single digits with Australian bookmakers are Perth mare Amelia’s Jewel, Romantic Warrior, Hayes-prepared Mr Brightside and Gold Trip.