There is a quiet confidence about Numbers as the Hong Kong Classic Cup approaches, the imposing four-year-old carrying both expectation and promise into Sunday’s HK$13 million feature at Sha Tin. In a season that has already revealed him as one of the city’s most progressive gallopers, the Hong Kong Classic Cup now presents a defining opportunity.
For jockey Derek Leung, the belief is growing by the day. After partnering the Frankie Lor-trained talent in a searching gallop earlier this week, Leung sensed a colt still on the rise.
“I galloped him on Monday and he did it well. He’s good, and I think he’s slightly improving,” Leung said. “He’s a stayer and he needs a few runs, but I think it’s a good time to go to the Classic Cup.”
Hong Kong Classic Cup Test Awaits Improving Numbers
The Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) forms the second leg of the prestigious Four-Year-Old Classic Series and has long been a proving ground for emerging stars. Numbers arrives with an enviable profile: two wins from only three starts locally, highlighted by a decisive two-length triumph in the Group 3 Centenary Vase Handicap over the same distance earlier this month at Sha Tin Racecourse. That performance confirmed the depth of his staying ability. Carrying 117lb, Numbers defeated Speed Dragon, Encountered, Ensued, Chancheng Glory, Beauty Joy and Straight Arron in a display that blended stamina with authority.
Pre-import, he had already advertised his quality with a placing in the 2025 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) in Australia, hinting that extended trips would hold no fears. His physical presence — weighing in at 1,212lb at his last start — is matched by a long, raking stride that marks him out as a natural over middle distances. “He’s very long and tall,” Leung explained. “When he gets in the gates everything feels small to him. Sometimes he gets a bit agitated, but we always practise in the gates for him to calm down. Hopefully this weekend he can jump at the perfect time.”
Trainer Frankie Lor, who has enjoyed a productive month with six winners, shares that optimism. “Everything is good. He’s much better now and he’s more relaxed. Further distances are no problem for him. The light weight helped him in the Group 3, but it was a good win.”
The Four-Year-Old Classic Series will culminate in the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) later in March, but for now, all focus rests on Sunday’s Hong Kong Classic Cup — a race that could confirm Numbers as a genuine Derby contender. Leung knows what it takes to win this contest, having combined with Lor to claim the prize in 2019 aboard Mission Tycoon. This time, however, he partners a colt expected to be prominent from the outset rather than an outsider springing a surprise.
Elsewhere this week, attention shifts to Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday night, where Straight To Glory seeks a hat-trick in the Class 3 Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1200m). Leung, again in the saddle, believes the progressive runner continues to mature. “He’s had perfect runs in his last two starts. He’s up to Class 3 now, but he gets a light weight and a good draw. He loves a battle, and it seems like he calms down more at Happy Valley.”
The competitive card also features the Class 2 Magazine Gap Handicap (1800m), where Huge Wave lines up against Californiatotality, Sword Point, Awesome Fluke, Soleil Fighter, Sky Heart and Jumbo Legend in what promises to be a tightly contested affair. But Sunday belongs to Numbers. The Hong Kong Classic Cup looms as the next step in his unfolding story — and perhaps the moment when potential becomes proof.
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