Regal Gem looks for big pay day atHappy Valley

Regal Gem tops the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge on 42 points, and trainer Frankie Lor is eyeing overall success when the galloper lines up in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Blue Pool Handicap over 1200m at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Lor said: “I’m trying to win the Million Challenge with him. Sometimes he has had difficult draws, so it hasn’t been easy this season. We’re leading by six points, and at this moment, we can’t say who will win – it’s still very close.”

The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge rewards horses racing at the city circuit in Class 3 or above. The series, which began last September, at this meeting with the winner taking home a cool HK$1 million. Second receives HK$350,000, while third banks HK$150,000.

Victory for Regal Gem would net the sprinter 15 points, while a top four finish ensures a boost to his score, with six points on offer for second, four for third, and three for fourth.

“Draw No 12 doesn’t make it easy, but he does have a light weight,” Lor said. “The pace should be fast, so I think we have no choice but to jump, take him back, and see how he finishes in the straight. I will leave it to the jockey (Derek Leung) to decide whether he comes in or out.”

Regal Gem leads King Miles and Storm Rider, who share second on 36 points. Both horses feature at the meeting. Storm Rider reopposes Regal Gem in the Blue Pool Handicap with Hugh Bowman aboard, and King Miles tackles the Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap (1200m).

Bowman, who won on Storm Rider last start, said: “He goes into this race with another favourable draw (No 2), which is a big help now that his rating is getting up. The opposition is strong, of course; it’s an important race for him. If we can win, then he’ll win the Challenge.

“Regal Gem was notably a bit unlucky in the race on 14 January. I think with even luck he is certainly the main danger, but again, unfortunately for them, they’ve drawn not so well out wide.”

Helene Feeling (32.5 points), Romantic Son (30) and Silvery Breeze (27) remain in contention. Victory could secure them joint or outright DBS x Manulife Million Challenge success. Huge Wave (25 points), Awesome Fluke (21), Love Together (21) and Youthful Spirits (21) also race, although they are unable to claim overall victory.

Helene Feeling tackles the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Shan Kwong Handicap (1650m) with Bowman booked for Danny Shum, who also saddles Moments In Time.

Bowman said: “He’s been an absolute pleasure to ride this preparation. I’ve ridden him in trackwork since, and the horse is in very good shape. What he does get this time is a really good barrier (No 2). Last time he was drawn awkwardly, and that didn’t help him.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

RACE BY RACE ANALYSIS

Race 1 - WANG TAK HANDICAP

8 Rainbow Seven makes his first appearance at Happy Valley and finally draws inside after wide gates in his last two runs. He has been freshened since then and the improvement in his latest trial, when he won his heat in style, has not gone unnoticed. This is wide-open, but he gets favours. 2 Great Spirit draws barrier 2 and his form this campaign has been solid, highlighted by a fast-finishing third to Winning Money last start. 1 Good Luck Happy showed promise on debut when beaten a head by California Blitz, then did not back it up second-up when fading to fifth despite a decent run from barrier 1. Zac Purton takes over third-up. 4 Rewarding Buddy is still chasing his first win after nine starts, but three seconds this season show he is close and this even field looks within reach.

Race 2 - WANG TAK HANDICAP

1 Fatal Blow finally lands an inside gate in barrier 3 after drawing 10 in three straight runs since returning to Class 4. He has still been running well despite the tough maps and this is the big change he’s been looking for to be right back in winning calculations. 6 Jolly Companion draws well again as he chases back-to-back wins. He is well exposed, but his form this season has been consistent and the map gives him every chance to be there again. 2 Victor The Rapid is another who can appreciate a kinder gate after mid-to-wide draws in three runs since dropping back to Class 4. His efforts have been sound with get-back rides and a closer run in transit would be a better scenario this time. 4 Giant Ballon gets the Purton factor, but barrier 11 is the hurdle. He is trending the right way, though, and stays in the mix on that.

Race 3 - SHAN KWONG HANDICAP

8 Silvery Breeze steps into Class 2 but drops nicely in the weights. After breaking through with an overdue win over this track and trip two runs ago, he then drew barrier 12, settled back, and still ran on strongly into second behind Max Que. The map is kinder here in a tougher contest and he still looks a horse with more to come. 3 Huge Wave lost no admirers when finishing second as favourite in the January Cup over 1800m. The step back in trip is ideal. 2 Helene Feeling has come up well this season and has climbed to a career-high 103 rating after back-to-back wins, then a solid third in the January Cup from barrier 12. He is right in the mix again. 5 New Forest is an intriguing runner as he switches to turf, but the speed map can see him give a sight.

Race 4 - YUK SAU HANDICAP

4 Hakka Radiance has climbed sharply in the ratings after three wins from six this season, but the conditions still look to suit. Barrier 1 gives him the right map in a race that does not show much speed on paper. 1 Young Bravo caused an upset over China Win two runs ago at this track and trip, then could not repeat it next time at Sha Tin. The form reads well for this and the switch back to Happy Valley suits. 3 Amazing Gaze is edging closer to a win after a couple of placings from seven. Zac Purton sticking is a positive. 5 Ocean Impact resumes for the first time since November, when he beat Hakka Radiance, and he has had a minor vet issue since, which explains the break. He has trialled well for the return and commands respect.

Race 5 - YIK YAM HANDICAP

6 Sure Joyful has been up against it since returning to Class 4, drawing wide in three runs, resulting in poor trips. He did his best work late most recently and barrier 2 is the map upgrade he’s been looking for. 4 Forza Toro draws barrier 1 after gates 12 and 13 in his last two starts. Last time was his first look at Class 4 and he was ridden quiet before finishing strongly into third, and he looks ready to go on with it from this set-up. 8 Stormi maps for a good run from barrier 3 as he chases back-to-back wins. He led all the way last start in a slowly run race, but the map is again in his favour. 10 Incanto Star is trending the right way with back-to-back placings at this track and trip since switching to the City track.

Race 6 - KING KWONG HANDICAP

11 Pi Legend has worked hard on pace from wide draws in two Sha Tin runs over 1200m, yet he has not been beaten far. Barrier 2 gives him the chance to settle with cover, conserve energy and make his presence felt late. 5 Candlelight Dinner won impressively at this track and trip two runs ago, then was unsuited over 1200m at Sha Tin. He has trialled well between runs and the set-up today gives him the chance to bounce back. 3 Love Together is a three-year-old building a handy record, breaking through at start four in the city last time and doing it with authority. The speed map looks stronger than average and that can play right into his hands again. 4 Eternal Fortune is coming on with each run in this preparation and he is fifth-up today, arriving off a third behind Love Together, which keeps him in the mix.

Race 7 - SING WOO HANDICAP

3 Wonder Kit is a throw at the stumps, but he is back to a winnable mark after last scoring off 80 ten starts back. Barrier 3 is key after outside gates in his last three runs and the conditions are far kinder this time. 12 Endeared rarely draws well, so barrier 1 catches the eye, and the drop back in trip can suit too. He’ll be a price, but Size’s runners can’t be ignored. 9 California Blitz should find a good rhythm on speed from his draw, either leading or sitting in the first few. He passed his first Class 3 test when sticking on for third behind Mighty Commander. 8 Friends Of Shajing has been coming to form, running second to Sports Legend two starts ago after covering ground, then a fair fourth behind Mighty Commander last time.

Race 8 - BLUE POOL HANDICAP

2 Storm Rider is thriving this season, winning three of six. He had the run of the race from barrier 1 last time, and barrier 2 gives him another ideal scenario where he remains the one to beat. 6 Brave Star draws barrier 1 and that is a big plus for a runner who finished well into third behind Storm Rider last time. 12 All Out For Six makes his local debut against seasoned Class 2 horses, which is a proper test, but the trials have been sound. At 116lb and from barrier 4, he gets his chance to figure on straight-up for the Newnham stable. 8 Regal Gem is the form horse, chasing home Storm Rider last time after a poor trip, but barrier 12 turns it into another tough task. He will need breaks at the right time, though his finish can still take him a long way.

Race 9 - TSUI MAN HANDICAP

5 Corleone gets another look after finishing second as the even-money favourite in his first Class 3 test, where the trip was muddied in a messy, stop-start sort of race. He did well under the circumstances and barrier 3 gives him the platform for a cleaner run and a chance to atone. 10 Lo Pan Spirit came out of the same race when seventh after being three-wide early, then making a mid-race move. He finally draws inside, which changes the picture and gives him a chance to cause an upset at a price. 11 Allcash will appreciate a genuine tempo to suit his pattern and his form this season has lifted, with a win and three thirds from five starts. 2 Mr Ascendency returns to Class 3 for the first time since 2022. His recent form is poor, but barriers have not helped, and a mid-draw makes him a knockout chance at odds.