Frankie Lor won the Hong Kong Classic Mile, it just wasn't with the Australian-bred horse most expected, as Furore (Pierro) stormed home to win the first leg of the 4-year-old series on a banner day for the second year trainer.
Furore's win was part of a career-best four-timer for Lor, who had five runners in the Classic Mile and filled three of the first four places as the winner staked strong claims for the L. Hong Kong Derby (March 17).
Dark Dream (All American) jumped favourite after a dominant last start display at 2000m and wasn't disgraced as he flashed home for fourth at a distance short off his best, but it was Furore, under an aggressive ride from Hugh Bowman, that gave Pierro a first stakes success in Hong Kong.
"That was the first time I have had four wins, and to win the Classic Mile as well is amazing, it was a big day," Lor said. "Before the race I still thought Dark Dream would win the race even though 1600m might be a little bit short, but he is classy horse. Furore is a very good horse as well though and is quite versatile."
"To win the Classic Mile as well is amazing, it was a big day." - Trainer, Frankie Lor
It was Pierro's first stakes success in Hong Kong and continued the incredible strike rate of the sire with Redoute's Choice mares.
Pierro has a 21 per cent stakes winner to runner average with Redoute's Choice mares with the resultant progeny including West Australian star Arcadia Queen and G1 Australian Derby winner Levendi.
Pierro
Even though Furore put a margin on his rivals he said there were a few factors working against Dark Dream.
"He had a tricky draw, and he was three and four deep the whole way. Furore got the easier run back on the rails and then Hugh (Bowman) was able to push through to get the run," Lor said.
Bowman's desperate ride cost him three Hong Kong race days with a careless riding suspension but the champion jockey will not miss the ride on Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G2 Apollo Stakes.
Lor finished second to his former mentor John Size in his rookie season and has continued his upward trajectory in his sophomore campaign, taking two of the four G1s on Hong Kong's biggest day in December.
Frankie Lor
He now holds a strong hand heading towards the Derby, although his Classic Mile runner-up Mission Tycoon (Written Tycoon) will face a stiff test stepping up to 1800m for the second leg of the 4-year-old series on February 17.
"Mission Tycoon will go to the Classic Cup along with Furore and Dark Dream," Lor said. "I thought there was some doubt about 1600m for him but he had a good draw and could just sit behind the leader the whole way, 1800m in the Classic Cup might be more difficult for him. "
Pedigree boost
Waikato Stud's Lot 423 by Savabeel (NZ) caught another exciting update when rising star Regency Legend (NZ)(Pins {NZ}) made it three on end with a meritorious Class 2 victory.
A winner of two from three and G2 runner-up in New Zealand when racing as Espumoso for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Regency Legend had turned heads by winning his first two Hong Kong starts by a combined five and a half lengths.
Regency Legend may have looked more workmanlike this time but the win was more impressive when considering the gelding was carrying top weight against older, established horses.
"It was better than it looked," trainer Danny Shum said. "For a 3-year-old to do that with top weight is very good. Let's wait and see what we do with him next but we won't be rushing him now that he will be up very high in the ratings."
