Frankie Lor is hopeful Regal Gem (120lb) can secure a hat-trick of wins in Tuesday’s (23 December) HK$3.12 million Class 2 Neptune Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley, provided the three-year-old overcomes a significant rise in distance and the seasoned opposition trying to stop him.    

Yet to race beyond 1400m in Hong Kong, Zoustar gelding Regal Gem was twice a winner pre-import in Great Britain, saluting at Pontefract and Haydock as a two-year-old. He closed out his European campaign with a fifth placing in Group 3 level at the Curragh in July, 2024.

The 83-rated gelding is a three-time winner at Happy Valley, including successive Class 3 scores this term, from eight overall appearances in Hong Kong. He is the joint-leader of the 2025/26 DBS x Manulife Million Challenge on 36 points along with King Miles, and victory this week would net Regal Gem a crucial 15 points in the competition, which concludes on 4 February, 2026. 

Lor said: “His form is good. We’ve changed jockeys because Derek Leung is suspended, so I’ve put Zac Purton on. It’s his first time racing over 1650 (metres) because there are no other races for him in Class 2 – so we need to try.

“He might be able to handle the distance at Happy Valley. 1400 (metres) would be no problem, but in this race, the pace should be quick, so it should be ok,” Lor said.

Nearing 500 wins in Hong Kong, Lor saddles nine runners on Tuesday. Regal Gem, raced by the Everest Syndicate, is eligible for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – beginning on 1 February with the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – should his trainer opt to head that way.

Symbol Of Strength (130lb) is also a soon-to-be four-year-old. The Irish-bred – who contests the Class 3 Uranus Handicap (1200m) – is yet to win from four attempts in Hong Kong.  

Lor said: “He ran well in his last two starts at Happy Valley, and his form is good, but last time he was stuck inside with nowhere to go. James Orman is on him this time.”

Money Catcher (121lb) – a dual Group 3 winner for Lor – features in the Class 3 Saturn Handicap (2200m). The earner of HK$20.72 million has raced 47 times in Hong Kong and is twice placed at Group 1 level.

Lor said: “I always want to try and get prize money for the owner, but his form is good.”

Pierre Ng is represented by four-time winner I Can (115lb) in the Neptune Handicap. The 78-rater won three runs back over tomorrow night’s course and distance.

Ng said: “He was a bit unlucky last start with the slow pace and he was too far back, but he did chase up really well and he ran some nice sectionals. We’re giving him a try this week because he gets a light weight. He’ll finish off well with a good run. Matthew Poon rides him.”

Ng is also looking forward to stable star Galaxy Patch returning on 25 January in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) – the Triple Crown’s first leg – after he was fifth in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 14 December behind Voyage Bubble.

“He ran okay. He’s pulled up well from that run and we’ll go for the Stewards’ Cup – so we’ll be against Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior. It’s a hot race. If he runs his race, then hopefully, he can get us some prize money. We’ll keep him happy and let’s see how he goes,” Ng said.

David Hayes is looking to enhance the record of Soleil Fighter (126lb) – a three-time winner at Happy Valley last season – in the Neptune Handicap. The 89-rated son of Sea The Moon placed second to prolific winner Hong Lok Golf at Sha Tin last month.

Hayes said: “He probably ran a career-best race the other day. He was just beaten by a nice horse, and I think he’s very effective at the Valley.”

Tuesday’s (23 December) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Mercury Handicap (1200m).