Romantic Thor is preparing for his sternest test to date as he steps into Group 1 company for the first time in the HK$13 million Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (24 May), but rider Zac Purton is refusing to rule him out completely.

Following his biggest win to date over the course and distance in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) earlier this month, the Danny Shum-trained gelding enters the contest as a proven stayer.

However, Purton was quick to point to the realities of that performance – carrying 116lb against inferior opposition in a rain-affected contest – and highlighted the steep rise in class he’ll face at set weights in Sunday’s feature.

“He’s got a long way to go to improve in ratings,” Purton said. “He won that race, obviously, off the minimum … you wouldn’t call them international Group 1 horses that he raced against, and he’s got stronger horses to run up against here at set weights.”

Romantic Thor is one of only two runners in the field with a victory over 2400m – the other being overseas challenger Deep Monster, whose record features mile-and-a-half wins in the G2 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) and the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m).

The eight-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey said Romantic Thor’s unexposed profile and obvious upside add to his appeal. Purton also suggested Romantic Thor could find himself the sole leader in the race, a potential advantage over the distance.

“It’s not gonna be easy,” Purton admitted. “But he can obviously run the distance. He’s lightly raced, and he’s open to improvement.

“If (Numbers) go back (as connections suggested he might earlier this week), I’m the only leader in the race. So, we’ll see. Danny will have something worked out.”

Purton was positive after a workout alongside Shum’s other entry in the race, Triple Crown-chasing superstar Romantic Warrior, earlier this week.

“He worked well with the stablemate,” the Australian added. “They’re both in good form.

“If we can get some prize money, he’s done well, and it’s a horse race, so you never know.”

Purton will be reunited with Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Bolt (128lb), who returns after 63 days away on Sunday’s undercard.

After finishing down the field in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) last time out, Beauty Bolt steps back in distance for the Class 2 Standard Chartered Global Private Bank Handicap (1400m), a move that was welcomed by Purton.

“He always gave the impression early on that he was gonna be a seven-furlong (1400m) horse,” Purton said. “When stretching out to the mile (1600m), he just kept coming up a little bit short. But with all four-year-olds, they wanted to give him his chance (in the BMW Hong Kong Derby), and they did that. Now we can get back to focusing on what might suit him a little bit better.”

Off the back of a midweek win, his 28th of the campaign, David Eustace debuts three-year-old Titan Pegasus (130lb) in the Class 3 Standard Chartered Renminbi Business Handicap (1200m).

A winner of last year’s G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for colts and geldings at Caulfield during his time in Australia when he was known as Field Of Play, the son of Deep Field has been a regular in barrier trials since arriving last October. Ahead of a Four-Year-Old Classic Series campaign next term, Eustace feels he is ready to make his Hong Kong bow.

“His trials on the whole have been pretty good,” Eustace said. “But he’s certainly trialling like a horse who’s still quite inexperienced. He hasn’t had much racing, so we’re looking forward to running him. I think it will be a bit of a shock to him. But there’s only so many times you can trial.”

Sunday’s (24 May) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.30pm with the Class 5 Standard Chartered Digital Assets Handicap (1600m).

By Paul Ryding

Photo: HKJC