Hong Kong Jockey Club
The day’s feature, the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1600m), was expected to be won by trainer John Size, with his galloper Ping Hai Star sent out 1.5 favourite.
However, it was Size’s former assistant turned chief premiership rival, Frankie Lor, who took the spoils with former Australian-raced New Elegance (NZ). The High Chaparral five-year-old appreciated the step up to 1600m to cause a 20/1 upset under Alexis Badel.
“Last time, 1200m was just too short, but that was expected. He didn’t like the shadows at Happy Valley under lights though, either,” Lor said. “He was supposed to run over 1400m two weeks ago but he got loose on the track the day before and so we had to scratch him. But I wasn’t worried about going to 1600m with him, that was the trip he needed. We took the blinkers off to make sure he wouldn’t be keen.”
Ping Hai Star faded after contesting the lead to finish eighth.
New Elegance was bred by Windsor Park Stud and purchased out their 2014 Premier draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale for $320,000 for Gai Waterhouse Racing. He raced five time in Australia for two wins. - HKJC