Regal Gem bids to maintain DBS x Manulife Million Challenge supremacy

By Declan Schuster

Regal Gem (116lb) tops the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge on 42 points, and trainer Frankie Lor is eyeing overall success when the galloper lines up in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Blue Pool Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday night (4 February) at Happy Valley.

Lor said: “I’m trying to win the Million Challenge with him. Sometimes he has had difficult draws, so it hasn’t been easy this season. We’re leading by six points, and at this moment, we can’t say who will win – it’s still very close.”

The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge rewards horses racing at the city circuit in Class 3 or above. The series, which began last September, ends tomorrow with the winner taking home a cool HK$1 million. Second receives HK$350,000, while third banks HK$150,000.

Victory for Regal Gem would net the sprinter 15 points, while a top-four finish ensures a boost to his score, with six points on offer for second, four for third, and three for fourth.

“Draw 12 doesn’t make it easy, but he does have a light weight,” Lor said. “The pace should be fast, so I think we have no choice but to jump, take him back, and see how he finishes in the straight. I will leave it to the jockey (Derek Leung) to decide whether he comes in or out.”

Regal Gem leads King Miles and Storm Rider, who share second on 36 points. Both horses feature tomorrow: Storm Rider (135lb) reopposes Regal Gem in the Blue Pool Handicap with Hugh Bowman aboard, and King Miles (133lb) tackles the Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap (1200m).

Bowman, who won on Storm Rider last start, said: “He goes into this race with another favourable draw (two), which is a big help now that his rating is getting up. The opposition is strong, of course; it’s an important race for him. If we can win, then he’ll win the Challenge.

“Regal Gem was notably a bit unlucky in the race (on 14 January). I think with even luck he is certainly the main danger, but again, unfortunately for them, they’ve drawn not so well out wide.”

Helene Feeling (32.5 points), Romantic Son (30) and Silvery Breeze (27) remain in contention. Victory could secure them joint or outright DBS x Manulife Million Challenge success. Huge Wave (25 points), Awesome Fluke (21), Love Together (21) and Youthful Spirits (21) also race, although they are unable to claim overall victory.

Helene Feeling (134lb) tackles the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Shan Kwong Handicap (1650m) with Bowman booked for Danny Shum, who also saddles Moments In Time (135lb).

Bowman said: “He’s been an absolute pleasure to ride this preparation. I’ve ridden him in trackwork since, and the horse is in very good shape. What he does get this time is a really good barrier (two). Last time he was drawn awkwardly, and that didn’t help him.”

Lor has entered impressive four-year-old Numbers (115lb before declarations) in the HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (8 February). He is also expected to join the Four-Year-Old Classic Series trail in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March before 22 March’s HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

Lor said: “He’s going well. I’m happy with him. A light weight is usually a big help in Group 3 races like this one. We’ll see how he goes. He then goes to the Classic Cup and (BMW) Hong Kong Derby. But Jimmy Ting’s horse, Little Paradise – unbelievable! When he got room, he was so strong. He could be hard to beat if he can handle 2000 metres.”

Following success in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Jimmy Ting is pleased with Little Paradise ahead of the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

Ting said: “After the race he is good. He is feeling well and eating well. I hope he can run good in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.”

Ting saddles Huge Wave (126lb) in the Shan Kwong Handicap on Wednesday, and said: “Even though he is a six-year-old, he is improving. He can get a good position from the draw (four), which I think will be better for him instead of being further back (in the run).”

Wednesday night’s (4 February) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.35pm with the second section of the Class 4 Wang Tak Handicap (1200m).