Stormy Grove faces next step on path to LONGINES Hong Kong International Races

By Declan Schuster

Stormy Grove (115lb) exceeded Frankie Lor’s expectations first-up, and the trainer is hoping Monday’s (19 October) HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) can serve as an important stepping stone for the five-year-old gelding in a bid to reach the 2026 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

Stormy Grove captured last season’s Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on his way to placing third in March’s Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind winner Invincible Ibis, before a setback in May put an end to his season.

Resuming this campaign, Stormy Grove was third to Invincible Ibis again in the G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on 27 September – his first appearance in four months, and a performance which Lor believes bodes well for Monday before a HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) tilt in December.

“We need to try and get (rating) points if we want to look at the International Races,” Lor said. “I think the (LONGINES Hong Kong) Mile is better than the Cup, which is over 2000 metres. I was really happy because he was coming back after he bled. He only had one trial and he still ran well. The 1400 (metres) is a bit short for him – a mile and further is better.”

Derek Leung rides the gelding for the first time after partnering him in trackwork, while Lor described his racetrack return as being a steady approach for the two-time winner in Hong Kong, who races in the familiar colours of Marc and Lily Chan.

“We did a lot of slow work with him and then gave him a trial. He didn’t trial that well because 1200 (metres) is a little bit short, but he improved after the trial and I was hoping he could run close (first-up), but it was a surprise he ran third,” Lor said.

“Derek’s galloped him once and he will do another gallop on Friday (16 October). He will next go to the 1600 metres Group 2 (BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile) in November and if his rating is good then he will go straight to the (LONGINES Hong Kong) Mile.”

Stormy Grove will jump from barrier eight against Voyage Bubble (135lb), My Wish (131lb), Helios Express (125lb), Invincible Ibis (125lb), Beauty Joy (121lb), Patch Of Theta (116lb), Light Years Charm (115lb), Soleil Fighter (115lb), Sky Jewellery (115lb), Sagacious Life (115lb) and Winning Wing (115lb).

Jerry Chau, who rode a double on Wednesday (14 October) at Happy Valley, will ride Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble. Chau said: “Carrying top-weight is difficult, and some of the other horses have good form and they will carry light weights.”

Chau’s midweek brace moved him to eight wins this season, behind the leader Zac Purton with 20, while Vincent Ho, Derek Leung and Nichola Yuen have 10.

“Good rides have started coming. Hopefully, I can get some better draws and get the job done,” Chau said.

Lor also has long-range goals with Salon S (135lb), who is second-up in the Class 3 Wo Che Handicap (1400m) with Matthew Poon. The youngster is being pointed towards the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which begins on 31 January with the HK$14 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m).

“I was happy with him last start. It was the first time we tried to make him follow horses and he looks okay, but he only hung in a little, which you can see,” Lor said.

“He looks a little bit more relaxed than last season, so 1600 metres looks okay but 1800 and 2000 – we don’t know yet. They’re the unknowns.”

Salon S rose to a rating of 85 after four consecutive wins last season. Fellow Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirant Baby Sakura (131lb) opposes.

Monday’s (19 October) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin begins at 12.30pm with the Class 5 Shek Mun Handicap (1800m).