Frankie Lor Fu-chuen will launch a two-pronged attack in the Grade Two Lucky Patch Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley’s season finale on Wednesday with Lucky With You and Bottomuptogether.
Ready to carry the top weight of 135lb, Lucky With You heads to the city circuit for the second time in his career following a last-minute improvement in the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) that saw him finish third behind Little Paradise.
Luke Ferraris, the most recent jockey to win in it during a series win last season, will join the eight-year-old veteran when they jump from barrier six on Wednesday.
“He has run once at Happy Valley, which is good. The owner wanted to give him one more run this season so I think this is a good distance for him, I think 1,200m should be better than 1,400m,” Lor said.
“Victor The Winner, I think he will lead in the front, and then Bottomuptogether can also go in front. I think if he jumps well, he can stay fourth or fifth.”
Bottomuptogether will be looking for his second win of the season when Joao Moreira takes over from barrier one. While five-year-old Shamus’ prize carry is 133 pounds, he has proven his ability to handle heavy weight, placing third in his most recent Happy Valley start at 135 pounds.
“He’s running well at Happy Valley – he’s got a good draw, a good jockey and the horse is still in good shape. This morning I put Joao on Bottomuptogether, he said he still feels good, so I’m happy,” Lor said.
Lucky Together, who has shown some potential since his mid-season career in Hong Kong, wins the Class Four Sweet Orange Handicap (1,650m) with Alexis Badel in the saddle. The Ocean Park galloper has finally pulled off a four-man lead after drawing away from home in his last five outings.
“This time he gets the best draw for fourth so I think it’s easy for him to get a link, there’s no need to put him back. Sometimes in Happy Valley if you fall back too far, you can’t come from behind and win the race, it’s not easy,” Lor said.
“The horse is still four years old and looks better than ever. When we started racing him in Hong Kong, he was always keen in the early stages, so now he is stronger and more settled.”
Jolly Bonus will make his Lor debut in the first leg of the Grade Four Fast Most Furious Handicap (1,200m) when he jumps from the first hurdle with Matthew Poon Ming-fai aboard.
“I’ve tested him four times, because Wednesday is the last day of the season I’ll race him once just to see. He’s got a good draw, I haven’t taken him to Happy Valley for a test, but he’s still learning,” Lor said.
“He’s got a little bit of gate speed, so from draw one he can just jump with a box seat – or sit three, four, five with a couple of horses around him, and hopefully he can run a little bit better than his trials.”
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