Frankie Lor is optimistic that implementing new tactics for Numbers can help the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up go to another level in Sunday’s (24 May) HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin.

Aiming to unlock more of the bull-headed four-year-old’s potential, Lor is hopeful the gelding, whose bodyweight exceeds 1,200lb, doesn’t always have to race at the head of the field and that an alternative racing pattern could add another layer to his development.

“I’ve always thought that we should try to follow one horse and see if he can do it or not instead of always leading. Danny Shum has Romantic Thor, who might go forward and lead, and if he does that then we can sit second,” Lor said.

“I’ve seen his form in Australia, and he could sit second, third or fourth, but still, you can see the jockeys are always trying to control him because he pulls a lot.”

Numbers’ on-pace pattern has been rewarded twice in Hong Kong, including in February’s G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m). The 103-rater rises to 2400m for the third time on Sunday after he was fifth in the 2025 G1 Australian Derby and second in the 2025 G1 Queensland Derby for trainers John O’Shea & Tom Charlton pre-import.

Lor said: “On the ‘A Course’ at Sha Tin, it’s harder for front-runners. I’d like to see what happens if he can sit second.”

Numbers galloped on turf at Sha Tin in 1m 20.1s (28.6, 27.1, 24.4) for 1200m on Tuesday morning (19 May).

Romantic Thor is owned and trained by the same connections as Romantic Warrior. The Justify gelding landed the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) from the front against two of Sunday’s rivals, Gentlemen Legacy and Winning Wing, on 3 May.

Most recently, Numbers was seventh on FWD Champions Day (26 April) in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) behind Romantic Warrior, who is bidding to join River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble last season as the third Hong Kong Triple Crown winner.

Lor said: “Last time he faced Group 1 horses, but I think he will learn from that race and improve. He’s doing okay.”

Cap Ferrat, Ka Ying Generation, Deep Monster and Rousham Park also feature on Sunday.

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC