Regal Gem targets DBS x Manulife Million Challenge finale at Happy Valley

Regal Gem went into the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge finale at Happy Valley holding a narrow lead but was unable to seal the HK$1 million series prize, finishing fourth in the Class 2 Blue Pool Handicap over 1,200 metres and ending the campaign one win short of the title. Romantic Son produced a late flourish in the card’s Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap to tie Regal Gem on 45 points and prevail on countback by virtue of more wins.

Trainer Frankie Lor had campaigned Regal Gem steadily on the city circuit, compiling two wins and two seconds for 42 points going into the finale while carrying an assigned weight of 116 lb. Lor had been upbeat about the gelding’s chances, saying, “We’ll try to win it,” and noting, “Everything’s all good with the horse and he has a light weight. We needed to get a good barrier.” His pre-race plan was clear: jump, take the horse back and rely on his finishing kick, with Derek Leung booked to ride.

On the night, the Blue Pool Handicap went to Beauty Waves, ridden by Zac Purton and carrying 135 lb, with Young Champion (115 lb) second and Brave Star (119 lb) third. Regal Gem finished fourth to collect 3 series points, taking his season tally to two wins, two seconds and a fourth for 45 points and a series runner-up payment of HK$350,000. The Blue Pool purse was listed at HK$2.84 million for the race.

The defining moment for the Million Challenge came when Romantic Son stormed home in the Sing Woo Handicap. Jumping from barrier 12 and ridden by Harry Bentley after a late jockey change, Romantic Son carried 135 lb and overhauled California Blitz and Power Koepp to record his fourth career win, all at Happy Valley. That victory added 15 points to Romantic Son’s pre-race 30 points, bringing him level with Regal Gem on 45. Under the competition regulations a countback was applied and Romantic Son was declared the series winner, receiving the HK$1,000,000 prize and HK$1.04 million in race prizemoney. Trainer Hayes reflected on the moment, saying, “It was very exciting to see Romantic Son win it – he’s my syndicate horse and they’re a great bunch of people, it’s such a thrill.” The win also moved Hayes to 33 seasonal winners.

The series underscored the value of city circuit consistency and the arithmetic of the 15-6-4-3 points system. King Miles, Storm Rider and Awesome Fluke each finished the series on 36 points and shared HK$50,000 consolation payments. Pre-race contenders such as Helene Feeling, who had been positioned on 32.5 points and drawn the inside for the Shan Kwong Handicap, were unable to overhaul the top two.

For Lor and Regal Gem connections the night was bittersweet: a promising campaign and a smart weight assignment were not enough to withstand a late surge from a rival. The immediate outlook turns to other targets, with Lor still set to run Numbers in the Group 3 Centenary Vase at Sha Tin, while Romantic Son’s syndicate will enjoy the spoils of a campaign decided by raw wins rather than a single night’s form.