Frankie Lor Fu-cheun believes Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Stormy Grove is approaching Group One level and is looking for further improvement to back it up when he takes Sunday’s Grade Two Members’ Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin.
The Toronado galloper has gone from strength to strength in his last three starts, winning in Grade Three company before breaking away to win the Classic Cup under Harry Bentley.
He once again rode home from the back of the field in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), coming up one and a quarter lengths too late to correct Invincible Ibis and Steady Count to finish a pleasing third.
All systems were lining up for a great pace in the Champions Group Mile last Sunday, but he missed the chance to play as third reserve.
Although it is disappointing for Lor, he hopes to see further improvement from his progressive four-year-old, who he believes is not far from mixing it up at the top table.
“I entered him in the Champion Mile but he was third reserve and couldn’t enter, so I had to enter him in this 1,600m race instead,” Lor said.
“He needs to carry a bit of weight (135lb) in this race, but I think he will be fine. The horse needs to rest in the early stages and then he will have a very strong finish. I think he can still improve.
“Before, when he came to Hong Kong, he was a tough horse, he won his two races before he was left-handed, so he had to learn to change legs and take turns. Sometimes you can see he is still leaning on turns, but our work rider has done a lot of work with him and he is perfect now.
“I’m not saying he would win that race, but I wanted to see how good he was after seeing him in the Champions Mile. For me, I think he’s close to Group One level.”
Lor will also launch an exciting Smart Golf in the Grade Three Beijing Clubhouse Handicap (1,200m) on Sunday, as the son of Needs Further looks to complete a hat-trick.
Winning three of his five starts to date, Smart Golf was withdrawn from the race on April 12 with a limp in his left front leg.
He has recovered from the defeat and Lor is looking forward to seeing him back on track as he hopes to continue his promotion.
“He was scratched from the start he intended because he had a sore leg, but now everything is fine. He is a horse that can lead or stay second, so he needs a good draw,” Lor said. “I think he’s got a good chance – he’s still getting better.”
Lor will also ride veteran stayer Money Catcher in the Grade Three Handicap Race (2,000m).
The eight-year-old has been a mainstay in the field and although he has only won three domestic starts, he was rated 117 and was beaten a length and a half behind Golden Sixty in the 2023 Gold Cup (2,000m), with Romantic Warrior second.
Sunday’s race is far from the company as he reaches the end of his career, but a $22 win from earlier in the campaign shows the fire is still burning and Lor is hoping he can get one last win before retirement for good.
“He went up to 110 points, so he had to go down a lot. Now in Class Three, he is very competitive and will run well again on Sunday,” Lor said.
“He’s been consistent for me. He’s eight years old, so this could be his last season, so hopefully he can come out on top.”
Meanwhile, two-time Group Two winner Galaxy Patch has begun to settle into Brett Crawford’s stable after his owner decided to move the Wandjina galloper from Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s yard.
A Group Two Jockey Mile Club winner earlier this campaign, owner Yeung Kin-man will be hoping the swap for Crawford – who has been consistent with a strong transfer this season – pays off.
“Based on his ratings, he’s running against some of the best horses around and we’re very excited to have him in the field,” Crawford said.
“We will talk to the owners and work out a plan. I would like to see him settle into my stable first and let him find his feet, before we make any concrete plans.
“He arrived on Tuesday morning – it’s exciting times ahead.”
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