Regal Gem heads into Wednesday night’s feature at Happy Valley as the leading contender in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, with trainer Frankie Lor intent on keeping his charge firmly on course for series honours as the sprinting season reaches its decisive phase.
Carrying just 116lb, Regal Gem tops the standings on 42 points and will line up in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Blue Pool Handicap (1200m) on 4 February, aware that another bold performance could be enough to secure the lucrative city-circuit series.
Lor, speaking ahead of the contest, acknowledged both the opportunity and the challenge that lies ahead.
“I’m trying to win the Million Challenge with him,” he said. “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 consistency among horses competing at Happy Valley in Class 3 or above. Having begun last September, the series concludes on Wednesday, with HK$1 million awaiting the overall winner, alongside additional rewards for the placed runners.
Victory in the Blue Pool Handicap would add a decisive 15 points to Regal Gem’s tally, while a top-four finish would still strengthen his position. Second place earns six points, third four, and fourth three — margins that could yet prove critical.
Wide Draw Adds Tactical Test in DBS x Manulife Million Challenge Decider
Regal Gem’s task is complicated by a wide gate, but Lor believes circumstances may still play into his hands.
“Draw 12 doesn’t make it easy, but he does have a light weight,” he 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 to decide whether he comes in or out.”
Chasing him closely are King Miles and Storm Rider, both on 36 points and still within striking distance of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge lead. Storm Rider reopposes Regal Gem in the Blue Pool Handicap under Hugh Bowman, while King Miles contests the Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap (1200m).
Bowman, who partnered Storm Rider to victory last time, expects another strong showing.
“He goes into this race with another favourable draw, which is a big help now that his rating is getting up,” Bowman said. “The opposition is strong, of course; it’s an important race for him. If we can win, then he’ll win the Challenge.”
Bowman also noted Regal Gem’s misfortune in a recent run, adding that the leader remains a serious threat despite his draw.
Further down the standings, Helene Feeling, Romantic Son and Silvery Breeze remain mathematically alive, with wins potentially delivering joint or outright series success. Huge Wave, Awesome Fluke, Love Together and Youthful Spirits are also engaged on the card but cannot claim the overall title.
Helene Feeling steps out in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Shan Kwong Handicap (1650m) with Bowman aboard for trainer Danny Shum, who also saddles Moments In Time. Bowman reported the gelding to be thriving.
“He’s been an absolute pleasure to ride this preparation,” he said. “What he does get this time is a really good barrier. Last time he was drawn awkwardly, and that didn’t help him.”
Attention also turns to Lor’s rising four-year-old Numbers, who is entered for Sunday’s HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin. The colt is expected to continue along the Four-Year-Old Classic Series path, which culminates in March’s BMW Hong Kong Derby.
“He’s going well. I’m happy with him,” Lor said. “A light weight is usually a big help in races like this. We’ll see how he goes.”
Lor was quick, however, to acknowledge the strength of Jimmy Ting’s Classic Mile winner Little Paradise, who impressed with a powerful finish last start and remains on track for the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
Following that success, Ting reported his horse to be thriving, while also saddling Huge Wave in Wednesday’s Shan Kwong Handicap.
Wednesday night’s nine-race programme at Happy Valley begins at 6.35pm with the second section of the Class 4 Wang Tak Handicap (1200m), setting the stage for an evening where both silverware and season-long honours remain firmly up for grabs.
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