Frankie Lor will chase his first Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup success at Sha Tin on Sunday when he will launch a two-pronged attack in the HK$13 million event.
Lor believes both his runners, Happy Together and Sword Point, are capable of going close despite facing strong rivals, including last start Group 1 victor Voyage Bubble.
Happy Together lands the Gr3 January Cup in style under Alexis Badel (Pic – HKJC)
French jockey Alexis Badel will once again partner Happy Together while Andrea Atzeni will ride Sword Point for the first time for Lor in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Lor believes Happy Together will once again display another consistent performance over his ideal distance.
Lor said: “I expect Happy Together will run another honest race, as usual. 1800m and 2000m are both his best distances today and you will see him let down and ran on well in the straight.”
The last time Happy Together ran at this course and distance resulted in a creditable fourth in the 2024 Gr1 FWD QEII Cup on yielding ground.
“He still performed well this season in various Group races this term and was not beaten far in these good races, in particular when fifth in the Hong Kong Mile. He has maintained his form well and I believe he will go close again this Sunday,” Lor added.
Sword Point is a two-time winner on dirt this season (Pic – HKJC)
Lor also confirmed Sword Point will be Dubai-bound after the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. The American Pharoah gelding will target the Gr2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan on Saturday, 5 April.
Lor said: “After Gold Cup we won’t have many choices for him. Obviously, he is a horse better on dirt. He will enjoy a short break after this Sunday and then will depart for Dubai.”
“I am pleased with his work ahead of Sunday’s race and therefore although it will be a big task for him, he should be there and thereabouts and in fact he didn’t run too bad last time on turf. At the moment, I have yet to decide the jockey choice in Dubai,” Lor added.
Sword Point tried to make all last start in the Gr3 Centenary Vase Handicap, but just weakened in the home straight and wasbeaten by four lengths by the winner Chancheng Glory last month. Sword Point will tackle Gr1 races for the fourth time this Sunday.
Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting starts with the Class 4 Citi Wealth Handicap at 07h00.
