3 minute read
Chances are Frankie Lor will play a role in Sunday’s (7 April) Group 2 double-header at Sha Tin with six entries across the pair of HK$5.35 million contests.
Lor has engaged the Group 2-placed Sword Point, Healthy Happy, Money Catcher and Happy Together in the G2 Chairman's Trophy (1600m). Both Healthy Happy and Money Catcher are pace factors, while Happy Together is a winning machine.
"He looks like he can still improve. This weekend will be a good test. He came back from Conghua and we'll see how he is," Lor said of Happy Together. "I didn't think he was going to win five races for me. It was a big surprise, so I hope he can keep going."
Alexis Badel has ridden Happy Together all season and is in the plate once more.
"He's done amazing and I thought last start was a great win because conditions weren't easy and the leader (Champion Dragon) was a tough horse to get past, especially doing it while carrying a heavy weight (133lb)," Badel said.
Russian Emperor , Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Nimble Nimbus , Red Lion, Encountered, Taj Dragon, Super Sunny Sing and The Best Peach also hold Chairman's Trophy entries.
"He's (Happy Together) going to face some of the top milers. It's always a challenge but I can't fault him. He seems to be a very talented horse with a great turn of foot. I hope he can carry on," Badel said.
After placing at Group 1 level twice last season, Money Catcher has only returned one top-three finish this term from seven runs. Keagan De Melo will ride the two-time Group 3 winner this weekend.
"He trialled at Conghua and looked ok. He's dropped in rating, I've given him a little break and brought him back in distance," Lor said.
Two-time Group 1 runner-up Lucky With You heads to the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) for Lor and another shot at Lucky Sweynesse, while the Group 3-placed Adios joins him.
"I think the track wasn't ideal last time because it rained a bit. We needed to try him that day but back to 1200 metres, if the track is good, this should be good. He's consistent," Lor said.
Lucky With You could only manage ninth last start in a rain affected HK$13 million G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) behind California Spangle. He finished second in the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) before his most recent run.
Badel will have his third partnership with the David Hall-trained Invincible Sage in the same contest after placing at Group 3 level aboard the 98-rater earlier this season.
"He's improving. His form is good and some of the horses in this race have been used for a while. I've ridden him before, he's straightforward and he's a lovely ride – I'm happy to be on him," Badel said.
Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Whizz Kid, Packing Treadmill, Nervous Witness and Tomodachi Kokoroe also hold entries for the Sprint Cup.
