Lor backs Healthy Happy to turn the tables on Sky Darci in hot Group Three
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen hopes if Sunday’s Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) sees his leading four-year-old Healthy Happy again trade blows with Hong Kong Derby hero Sky Darci, it might be his charge who prevails this time out.
After a stirring battle across the final 300m, only a short-head split the pair in the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) three weeks ago and Healthy Happy is three pounds better off at the weights for this weekend’s contest.
Lor expects the Classic Cup winner, who finished sixth in the Derby, to thrive stepping back to seven furlongs in a race where the likes of Buddies, Voyage Warrior and Lucky Patch could look to assume prominent positions from outside draws.
While Healthy Happy led the Classic Cup at 1,800m, the Derby over 2,000m and the Champions Mile, he sat off Ka Ying Star last time out and was third in the run during a 1,400m victory at Class Two level in December.
Alexis Badel banned for the final five meetings of the season, fined HK$240,000
“I think at the moment 1,400m and 1,600m are his best distances so it will be suitable for him. I think 1,400m can [be an advantage against Sky Darci] because there should be a lot of pace so we can sit third or fourth,” the trainer said.
