Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is confident he has all bases covered in Wednesday’s Group Three January Cup (1,800m) as he chases a third consecutive win in the contest with his three-horse team.
Lor landed Happy Valley’s sole Group race with Money Catcher and Happy Together in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and the pair return along with stablemate Flamingo Trillion in Wednesday’s 12-runner contest.
Happy Together was only beaten two and a quarter lengths in last month’s Group One Hong Kong Mile and Lor hopes his class edge can offset the task of carrying 135 pounds when he jumps from gate 10 under Alexis Badel.
“I think Happy Together is probably the best chance of the three and hopefully he can win it again,” Lor said.
“Of course, he has to carry a big weight so we will have to see. Usually in these Group Three races having a light weight can be a big help.”
After collecting only one win under the tutelage of Richard Gibson, Happy Together thrived in his first season under Lor, claiming five victories from 11 starts and rising 37 points in the ratings to 110.
He provided Lor with his third win in the January Cup – the trainer also won the race in 2019 with Simply Brilliant – carrying 115 pounds before holding his own at the top level.
A Class Two win at Sha Tin over 1,800m in March preceded a respectable fifth in April’s Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) and gallant fourth behind Romantic Warrior in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m).
“It was a good run [in the Hong Kong Mile] last time and he wasn’t beaten too far,” Lor said. “He’s not a big strong horse, but he’s in good form and I’m hopeful going into it.”
Lor has won all three of his January Cups with five-year-olds and course specialist Flamingo Trillion will look to continue that trend when he jumps from barrier two under Derek Leung Ka-chun.
The son of Wandjina has won three of his seven appearances at Happy Valley and bids to make his first crack at Group level a successful one after a promising start to the campaign.
“He loves Happy Valley and has a light weight which should be better for him,” Lor said. “Hopefully he can run a good race.”
After two runner-up efforts to start the campaign over the Happy Valley 1,650m, Flamingo Trillion was by no means disgraced in fifth over 1,800m last month.
Tracking a brisk early pace set by Yellowfin – the leader covered the first 1,000m over seven lengths quicker than standard time – Flamingo Trillion was unable to keep up the gallop and weakened in the closing stages.
Lor’s three-pronged attack on the HK$4.2 million contest is completed by Money Catcher, who will aim to wind back the clock from gate 12 under Matthew Poon Ming-fai.
While the seven-year-old has not returned to the winners’ enclosure since his success in this race two years ago, Lor is positive he still retains plenty of ability.
“He was not too bad last time and this time he also has a light weight. He still has ability,” Lor said.
After he finished sixth in November’s Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m), Money Catcher was by no means disgraced in fifth at Class Two level over the same trip on December 29.
