Frankie Lor is confident promising young stayer Numbers can take a major step forward when he lines up in the Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the talented gelding aiming to strengthen his credentials for Hong Kong’s prestigious Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Lor has long held the Tivaci gelding in high regard and believes Sunday’s Centenary Vase Handicap presents an ideal opportunity for Numbers to chase his first Group success while building momentum towards the Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March and the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 22 March. Carrying just 115lb under Derek Leung, Numbers enters the race in encouraging form after impressing in recent preparations.
Centenary Vase Handicap test comes at crucial stage
The lightly raced four-year-old has shown steady progression since arriving in Hong Kong. He finished a solid third over 1800m at Happy Valley on debut before producing a dominant front-running victory over 2000m at Sha Tin later that month, marking him as a genuine staying prospect.
Lor has been pleased with the gelding’s training, particularly following a smooth trial over 1600m in January. Numbers further underlined his readiness with a sharp workout at Sha Tin earlier this week, stopping the clock in 59.2 seconds for a strong piece of trackwork that left connections optimistic.
The trainer is hopeful the gelding can follow in the footsteps of previous winners who carried similar weights to victory, with past champions proving that a light impost can be a decisive factor in the competitive handicap contest.
Numbers, rated 90, is also seeking to provide Lor with another success in Hong Kong’s elite four-year-old programme, following previous triumphs with Mission Tycoon and Healthy Happy in the Classic Cup.
The Centenary Vase Handicap has attracted a competitive field of seven runners, ensuring a stern examination for the emerging contender.
Straight Arron heads the weights, while seasoned campaigner Beauty Joy adds further depth. Defending champion Chancheng Glory returns to defend his crown and will again be partnered by Zac Purton. Trainer Francis Lui believes the galloper has maintained his form and will benefit if he settles comfortably in the run.
Lui also saddles Speed Dragon, who arrives after an impressive performance in the January Cup over the same distance at Happy Valley. The runner returns to Sha Tin for the first time in nearly a year but has displayed consistent form in recent outings.
Veteran performer Encountered, prepared by Brett Crawford, is another notable challenger. The experienced galloper enjoyed Group success earlier in the season and has reportedly thrived in recent training. Drawn wider, Encountered is expected to rely on his customary finishing burst under Karis Teetan.
Ensued completes the compact field, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a tactical contest over the 1800m journey.
While the spotlight on Sunday falls on the Centenary Vase Handicap, attention also remains on world-class sprinter Ka Ying Rising, who continues his preparation for upcoming major races. The five-year-old recently matched a remarkable record of consecutive victories by a Hong Kong-trained horse and remains one of the sport’s standout performers.
Ka Ying Rising is set to continue his campaign through key sprint features later this season, with connections carefully mapping out his path towards major international targets.
Sunday’s Sha Tin programme features 11 races, with racing set to begin at 12.30pm local time.
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