“Last month I had only three winners – sometimes it’s like this,” Lor said after the wins of Run Run Cool, Happy Golf and Run Run Buddy. “I try hard to win races for my owners and at this moment, I’m not thinking about the championship, it’s still too early, but I will try my best (to win it again).”
Winning Steps broke through at his seventh Hong Kong start with a tenacious performance to win the Class 4 Lok Sin Tong Cup Handicap (1800m) for Alexis Badel and Pierre Ng, who is about to embark on an ambitious international campaign with Glorious Dragon and Duke Wai.
“He (Winning Steps) was very unlucky last start, he drew one and never had his chance to get a clear run. This time I just told Alexis to get a handy position and whenever they go slow, to get him out and get going,” said Ng, who confirmed Glorious Dragon will join stablemate Duke Wai at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on 25 March.
“Glorious Dragon will run in the Group One 1800m (G1 Dubai Turf). It was confirmed yesterday and we are trying to organise everything as soon as possible because they are leaving on Friday. It has all happened like that.
“There will be some very good horses in the race but hopefully he runs well. He’s got the experience and hopefully he’s got the freshness to run well in his first run on the track.”
Duke Wai will run in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m).
Angus Chung exploited Douglas Whyte-trained Cheval Valiant’s dash with maximum impact when the Charm Spirit gelding surged to a blistering win in the Class 4 Sa Po Handicap (1000m), clocking 55.80s despite shouldering 125lb.
Hugh Bowman dominated the opening stages of the meeting with a race-to-race double, starting with victory aboard Speedstar for David Hall in the Class 5 Hau Wong Handicap (1400m).
“He did a good job with the weight. He’s a game horse and he’s come a long way and he’s now a good little Hong Kong horse,” Hall said after slotting the stable’s 25th victory of the campaign.
Bowman capitalised on Happy Golf’s favourable draw by hugging the fence from barrier two before winning the Class 4 Junction Handicap (1200m) for Lor, who overtook Ricky Yiu (37 wins) in the trainers’ championship when Run Run Cool burst to victory in the Class 3 Nam Kok Handicap (1000m).
David Hayes’ patience was rewarded when Regent Glory prevailed in the first section of the Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (1400m) for Karis Teetan.
“The horse got an injury when he arrived in Hong Kong on the firm tracks. He had to have a screw put in his fetlock. He’s confident now, he’s more relaxed and I think there are more wins to come from this horse,” said Hayes, who took his seasonal haul to 24 wins.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 March).