After seeing Money Catcher end his exasperating winless run in Hong Kong, trainer Frankie Lor is hopeful Five Elements can emulate his stablemate when he lines up in the Class 3 Tai Ping Shan Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday by ending his own luckless run.
Five Elements has been beaten four times by under length and boasts five top-three finishes since arriving in Hong Kong. He is out to join Money Catcher who left eight top-three finishes in his wake with victory in the Grade 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) on Sunday at Sha Tin.
“He’s (Five Elements) very consistent but he hasn’t won yet, so I hope he can win this race because this time he also has a good draw even with a big weight,” Lor said.
Arriving from New Zealand, Five Elements was previously raced as Stormy and claimed the 2020 G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) before his export to Hong Kong.
Five Elements – a son of Telperion – finished second last start, while this week Matthew Chadwick takes the ride from barrier two against the likes of Drops Of God, Star Brite, Here Comes Ted, Xponential, Gluck Racer and Global Harmony.
Lor also saddles Savvy Kingman, Heroic Master, We The South and Run Run Cool at Happy Valley. The latter two will form a two-pronged assault for Lor in the Class 2 Po Yan Handicap (1000m) against eight other speedsters expected to light up the Valley.
“We The South drew barrier No 10, it’s not easy to come across from there because he likes to lead. A few horses in the race are quite fast, so it wouldn’t be easy to lead but we’ll try, everyone knows when he leads he is better,” Lor said.
Run Run Cool will chase a first win at Happy Valley in the Class 2 feature after twice prevailing at Sha Tin. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: London Luckystar well supported last start and won accordingly. He has improved with the stable change and can win again. Run Run Good had genuine excuses last start when suffering interference, forget the run and give a chance to bounce back having drawn well low. Daily Beauty eased early before going on to make late ground, but he can map handier from a low gate. Medic Elite finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start but also had excuses in the run. Faithful Trinity second start in this grade after drop- ping in class and could improve.
Race 2: Exuberant video replay showed last run was very good and he looks on track to score should he see out the distance. Copartner Era had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Rainbow Light surprise tactics adopted last run when being ridden forward, he can improve ridden with more patience and he has drawn well to map ideally. Spicy Grill generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Cordyceps One has shown ability and gets his chance to win here on prior good form.
Race 3: Blissful Star looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. From barrier 1, he gets every chance to shed his maiden tag. Amazing Boy finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Legion Of Merit last start winner who remains in the same grade. Viva Popcorn fresh up from a break and should run well from a low draw. Lucky Missile gains a start. He has ability but is hard to catch, capable of causing an upset.
Race 4: Durham Star caught the eye last start when running home well. Rattan Kingdom showed good improvement last start and appears to be a chance with some luck from out wide. Island Surprise has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, drawn well low to get his chance. Success Fighter improving type and getting close to a win. Wood On Fire had genuine excuses last start and consider again from barrier 1.
Race 5: Awesome Treasure drops down in grade and start following. He can bounce back for a second career win here, reuniting with Purton. Yellowfin remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here from barrier 1. See U Again has shown ability and gets his chance. He’ll be each-way odds and it could be the time to take a chance on him. Multimore likes to jump and run and should be in the leading division, he can go well fresh. Sixth Generation change of trainer recently and can improve.
Race 6: Tempest Express ran the third fastest sectional time last start and finds a race where he looks to get conditions to suit. Intrepid Winner caught the eye last start when running home well, expect the same here. Lucky Diamond last start winner who rises in class, but he may be able to measure up. Champion Dragon showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, which is usual for him, and he’ll do the same here. Ensured generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 7: Equaletta Blitz last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. There appears plenty of speed on here, which will suit him from barrier 1 to finish strongly late. Whizz Kid fresh up from a break and should run well under Purton. He’ll vie to make all in the run. Ping Hai Galaxy looks a solid good chance based on last start and have to consider again. Handsome Bo Bo looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. We The South good performance when returning to form last start and he is suited back at this track/distance.
Race 8: Heroic Master turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. He can win second-up and looks progressive. Harmony Fire resuming from a break and the recent trial was very good, he’s the one who can test the favourite. Savvy Delight resuming from a break and not tested in recent trial, looked well and expect a good run. Sergeant Pepper consistent performer of late and worth considering. California Deeply well prepared for debut and watch the betting, he will likely jump and run and give a sight.
Race 9: Five Elements remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here from a good draw. Solar Winds turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and he’s racing well after a stable change. Gluck Racer change of trainer recently and can improve, just needs some luck from an awkward draw. Drops Of God can upset some more fancied rivals on best form and he can map a chance from barrier 1. Sky Forever is better than recent form indicates and can improve with a clear run.