Frankie Lor will chase his first G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) success at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February) when he will launch a two-pronged attack in the HK$13 million event. Lor believes both his runners, Happy Together and Sword Point, are capable of going close despite facing strong rivals, including last start Group 1 victor Voyage Bubble.
French jockey Alexis Badel will once again partner Happy Together while Andrea Atzeni will ride Sword Point for the first time for Lor in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Lor believes Happy Together will once again display another consistent performance over his ideal distance.
Lor said: “I expect Happy Together will run another honest race, as usual. 1800m and 2000m are both his best distances today and you will see him let down and ran on well in the straight.”
The last time Happy Together ran at this course and distance resulted in a creditable fourth in the 2024 G1 FWD QEII Cup on yielding ground.
“He still performed well this season in various Group races this term and was not beaten far in these good races, in particular when fifth in the Hong Kong Mile. He has maintained his form well and I believe he will go close again this Sunday,” Lor added.
