SA runner a promising fifth as Hong Kong scoop all

– Glorious Forever’s victory in the Longines Hong Kong Cup wrapped up a first ever Hong Kong clean-sweep of the Hong Kong International Races and capped a stellar occasion of world class sport at Sha Tin Racecourse yesterday.

A vocal crowd of 96,388 enjoyed four stunning races. Beauty Generation was sensational in slamming a top-class field in the Hong Kong Mile; Frankie Lor sealed a breakthrough Group 1 with Mr Stunning in the Hong Kong Sprint and achieved a remarkable double thanks to Glorious Forever; all after Exultant set the ball rolling with a head-bobbing victory in the Hong Kong Vase.

And, while Northern Superstar, formerly Edict Of Nantes, did not win, he did finish fifth and was only 2.75 lengths behind the winner in this 2000m race. Jockey Karis Teetan had him in third place for most of the journey but in the straight, although he started to make an impression, he tired late. This was only his second run since arriving in Hong Kong so will clearly improve on that performance.

“He had a very good run," said Teetan. "When I asked him, he quickened up and this horse had only had one run previously in Hong Kong and I think there is a lot of improvement to come.”

Second-season trainer Frankie Lor, a stable hand’s son and former jockey in Hong Kong, achieved a Group 1 breakthrough with Mr Stunning in the Hong Kong Sprint before doubling up with Glorious Forever in the HK$28 million feature.

Glorious Forever, ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, defied his elder brother Time Warp and two highly credentialled Japanese challengers to lead throughout in the Cup in a performance which fulfilled the promise he’s shown for some time.

The Archipenko gelding held out late-closing Japanese filly Deirdre to win by a length with his brother and regular recent adversary Time Warp a short-head back in third place.

“This is special. Yes today is amazing for me, I can’t believe it. For me, it’s my dream to get more good horses and win the big races and to win these two races today is amazing,” Lor said.

After the much discussed leadup race, the Jockey Club Cup when Glorious Forever and Time Warp attacked each other in front, Lor knew he’d have to adopt a different tactic. “I talked to Silvestre yesterday and said ‘if he jumped good try to take the lead and if Time Warp pushed too hard then he could take the sit behind him’. We drew one and Time Warp seven so that made a difference,” Lor said.

Three-time British champion jockey De Sousa is no stranger to major race success but this was his first Group 1 in his temporary home. –

Hong Kong