Lor, Badel look Happy Together

Frankie Lor is aiming to extend his terrific record in Wednesday’s Grade 3 January Cup Handicap over 1800m when the trainer saddles Happy Together, Money Catcher and Flamingo Trillion in Happy Valley’s sole Group race.

Victorious with Simply Brilliant (2019), Money Catcher (2023) and Happy Together (2024), the latter tops the 2025 line-up rated 110 for Lor, while half of the 12-runner field rate below 100 and receive favourable imposts: Helene Feeling, Money Catcher, Woodfire Bro, Flamingo Trillion, Star Contact and Romantic Laos.

Alexis Badel has won two January Cups for Lor (2019 & 2024). He reunites with Happy Together from barrier No 10, while Money Catcher steps from the widest draw under Matthew Poon. Flamingo Trillion is placed sweetly in gate two with Derek Leung engaged.

“His (Happy Together) run at the (Longines Hong Kong) International Races was great. He’s heading towards this race with what I believe is a good chance, we just carry so much weight, so we need everything to go smooth,” Badel said.

“I would say the barrier is a touch awkward. We’ll see what the pace looks like but my horse can finish, he has a good turn of foot, he tries hard – hopefully he can run a good race.”

Flamingo Trillion has won three times from five attempts over the January Cup course and distance. Leung is seeking a first Group race success with Lor’s 85-rating chestnut.

“The light weight is going to help him a lot. We have a good draw and he’s a straightforward horse, it doesn’t matter if we lead, sit second or third. We just ride him to his own rhythm,” Leung said.

Five G Patch, La City Blanche, Encountered, The Golden Scenery and Moments In Time are the other 100-plus rated horses in the race.

Hugh Bowman is aiming to guide Moments In Time to a third Hong Kong win for trainer Danny Shum from barrier No 6.

“I was delighted with his performance last start at Happy Valley. He’s a very consistent horse, he’s had a bit of a mixture in class and distances to contend with over the last 12 to 18 months, but I truly think he finds a race that he can feature in,” Bowman said.

“He put the writing on the wall last time. I rode him a bit differently from a wider draw and just thought I’d try to switch him off because he’s a very competitive individual, even in his work, he really wants to get on with it.

“I didn’t mean to get as far back last start but with a lap to go we had plenty of time. If he can come out of that race on an upward spiral then he’s certainly well placed here.”

Moments In Time raced as Racatan pre-import in Chile, where he won three times, including the 2022 G1 Nacional Ricardo Lyon (2000m) for three-year-old horses at Hipico.

“The race appears to set up so that I might be able to take a handier position but I think it’s vital that I do make a point of switching him off in the early stages to get the best out of him,” Bowman said.

Andrea Atzeni rides last-start winner Romantic Laos for trainer Cody Mo in the January Cup. “He’s got a good draw (No 1). He won at the track last start from a good draw and a good trip – everything worked out perfectly. He’s going up to 1800 metres, so with the way he won last start you’d think the distance is not an issue. On ratings he has a bit to find, but with a light weight he could run well,” Atzeni said.

Following a weekend double at Sha Tin, David Hayes saddles Star Contact, who breaks from barrier seven under Lyle Hewitson in the January Cup.

Hayes said: “He showed last start that he’s handling the upper-class races and he always gives himself a nice run in transit, so he’ll race on the pace and we’ll see if he can handle the open class.”  

Brenton Avdulla partners California Deeply in the HK$1.86 million Class 3 Causeway Handicap (1200m) for trainer Tony Cruz, gunning for back-to-back wins at Happy Valley.

“He had a bit of a break between wins, but he’s always been a horse who has definitely been up to that level (Class 4) and even in Class 3. It’s nice to get a win with him and hopefully it gives him a bit of confidence stepping out on Wednesday night again,” Avdulla said.

Positioned on 1,805 Hong Kong wins, championship-leading jockey Zac Purton requires nine more victories to set a new all-time record for Hong Kong wins as a jockey. Purton is aiming to better jockey-turned-trainer Douglas Whyte’s mark of 1,813.

Purton rides Golden Rise, Ninja Derby, Beauty Light, Spirit Of Peace, Firefoot, A Americ Te Specso and Toy Soltero at the city circuit. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Tattenham has dropped in the ratings and is well weighted to run a big race from a low draw. Cervin his recent efforts have been encouraging and he should map well from a good draw and go close to winning. Invincible Missile generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He will make his presence felt if the pace suits. Ivictoriam flashed home late into a strong third last start and must be respected with Bowman aboard. Gallant Crown with his positive racing style and the apprentice claim, he could be hard to catch.

Race 2: Golden Rise finished a close second last start and looks the one to beat from a decent draw, especially with Purton taking the reins. Street Conqueror clocked fast final sectional time in a slowly run race last start and could finish in the Top 3 with a genuine pace. Prime Mortar a proven performer in this class, he is capable of causing an upset. Affirm looks overdue for a win and enters this race in great form. Fortune Whiskey finished strongly into fourth behind Super Legends, who has since franked the form with a subsequent win in Class 3.

Race 3: Foremost Teddy having trialled well leading up to this race, he is primed to score with a favourable draw. Ninja Derby overlook his last start, where the slow pace turned the race into a lottery. He could bounce back with a better-judged ride. The Azure has been in great form recently and is now aiming for a hat-trick. Mighty Commander with the drop in ratings, he is expected to produce an improved effort in a race of this nature. Apolar Fighter has the ability and can upset some more fancied rivals on his best form.

Race 4: Beauty Light scored an easy win in this class last time out, and with Purton remaining on board, he is poised to secure a double. Shinkansen has been in consistent form of late and cannot be ignored, despite the awkward draw. Sight Happy stormed home for a brilliant win last start and should run well again with a genuine pace. Iron Legion appears well prepared for debut and the betting market may reveal the story. Draco resuming from a break, he looks to get all the favours (a good draw and a lightweight) to run well first-up.

Race 5: Spirit Of Peace showed promise on debut, so it comes as no surprise to see Purton aboard this time. He is primed to break through. Circuit Duffy has shown ability and gets his chance to land a second career win here. Happy Park a fast beginner, he should run well if he can cross early and establish an easy lead. Talents Supremo he needs a fast early pace to produce a strong finish, so a genuine tempo is vital for him. One For All will relish the drop to Class 4, where he is a four-time winner, and improvement is expected.

Race 6: Firefoot it pays to overlook his last start, where the pace was too slow. He is expected to deliver a commendable performance with Purton aboard. Harmony Galaxy let down well to finish third from a wide draw last time out and is edging closer to a win. Smart City had excuses last start (raced wide) and could improve into the placings with a smoother run. Silver Up capable but unpredictable, he could surprise at odds. Atomic Beauty is suited by returning to Happy Valley and can upset some more fancied rivals at his best.

Race 7: Helene Feeling finished third in this feature last year and his recent efforts suggest he is peaking at the right time. Moments In Time stormed home for a close second last start and should be highly competitive with Bowman retaining the ride. La City Blanche he could be hard to catch as he is inconsistent. Consider if his odds offer value. Happy Together as the defending champion of this feature, he will find this easier than his recent starts and should run well despite carrying top weight. Five G Patch another contender who will relish the drop from a G1 feature, he could surprise at value.

Race 8: Spicy Gold looked unlucky when badly held up at a crucial stage last start. He can make amends with better luck in running. Kyrus Dragon likes to get back and charge home late, and needs a fast early speed to produce a big finish. California Deeply scored a convincing win in Class 4 last time and remains a strong chance despite rising to Class 3. Eternal Fortune his recent runs have been encouraging, but the rise in trip could pose a slight concern. Happy Fat Cat will be suited by the switch back to the turf track and could place at odds.

Race 9: Sunstrider has shown significant improvement recently and is edging closer to his first local win. Noble Pursuit a proven performer at this level, he has not been beaten far in his recent outings and can bounce back anytime in this class. Californiatotality he defied a wide draw to score a convincing win at Sha Tin last start, making a double look well within his reach. Simple Hedge showed signs of regaining form last start and looks one to follow. Toy Soltero will likely find this a bit easier than his last start and should not be overlooked with Purton aboard.