Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is adamant Lucky With You will run a bold race with an ounce of luck from a wide draw in Sunday’s Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

A two-time Group One runner-up in his first campaign with Lor last term, Lucky With You will carry his lightest weight in almost three years and should get a firm track after battling on rain-affected ground in his past two starts.

However, Lor’s hopes were dealt a blow when the seven-year-old copped barrier 12 for his clash with last season’s champion sprinter California Spangle and the exciting Ka Ying Rising.

Lucky With You finished his terrific season with a sixth to Invincible Sage in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) on a yielding track in April, before returning on opening day with another sixth to Ka Ying Rising in the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) on a good-to-yielding surface.

“I think the track will be better for him this time,” Lor said. “In his last few runs, it was raining which was no good for him.

“He’s drawn 12 and this race is a little bit stronger, but he’s got a light weight and he trialled well. I think he can finish close.”

Second to Lucky Sweynesse in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) and Victor The Winner in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m), Lucky With You is one of eight runners on the minimum weight of 115 pounds on Sunday.

The last time he carried that weight was when he won for David Hayes in December 2021.

Andrea Atzeni has ridden Lucky With You in all eight starts since he was transferred to Lor and retains the ride on Sunday.

“Gosh it’s a tough race, isn’t it?” Atzeni said. “But he’ll get the ground he likes. His last few runs were on bad ground and he just wants good ground. On his form last season, he won’t be far away.”

Three-time Group One winner California Spangle heads the Premier Bowl weights with 135 pounds in his seasonal reappearance, while Ka Ying Rising has 128 in pursuit of a sixth consecutive triumph.

The quality field of 13 also features Group One victor Invincible Sage, Taj Dragon, Encountered, Flying Ace, Howdeepisyourlove, Beauty Waves, Majestic Knight, Helios Express, Packing Treadmill and Harmony N Blessed.

Lor also has a strong hand in the Class Two HKJC 140th Anniversary Cup (1,600m) with veteran galloper Money Catcher and four-year-old series aspirant Top Gun.

Money Catcher bids for his first triumph since the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley last year, while Top Gun is second up after a close second to Winning Gold on October 1.

“Money Catcher won twice two seasons ago, but then his rating was too high,” Lor said.

“Last season, his first few runs were OK but then his form dropped. Now he’s back to Class Two, he trialled twice in Conghua and I hope with a rating of 93, he can improve from last season.

“Top Gun is a bit one-paced. He might go forward and the light weight will help him. He was good first up with a heavy weight. If his rating keeps going up, he will go to the four-year-old series.”

A three-time Australian winner pre-import, Top Gun carried top weight of 135 pounds first up but drops to 121 while stepping up to Class Two on Sunday.