Numbers Stack Up In Hong Kong

The Frankie Lor trained Tivaci gelding Numbers has his sights firmly set on the remaining legs of the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Classic Series after a commanding victory in Sunday’s G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin.

Leading from start-to-finish in the HK$4.2m race, the gelding had started favourite in the betting off the back of his impressive winning performance in December.

As the field entered the home straight, Chancheng Glory under Zac Purton moved to his shoulder to briefly offer resistance, before Derek Leung asked Numbers for an effort where he moved away from the pack.

“He was still a bit nervous in the gates, but he did a good job,” Leung said. “He handled himself pretty good. After he relaxed, I started to pick up at the 800m. He listened to me, and he made my job pretty easy.”

Leung said his tactical versatility makes Numbers a major threat for the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.

“He can lead, or if someone’s going faster than him, he can be second or third – just whatever he wants to be,” Leung said. “He loves to chase a horse. So, it doesn’t matter … he loves the challenge.”

 The second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series is the Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March, and on this evidence, Numbers will take some beating as the Series extends to 1800 metres and beyond, especially when you consider his final Australian start was second in the G1 Queensland Derby over 2400m.

Lor is looking forward to raising the bar with his emerging four-year-old.

“He won really well,” he said. “In Australia, he could lead or sit second, third or fourth, he has lots of stamina. He’s a quiet horse at home, but he’s enjoying things, so I’m really happy.

“The next stage is the Classic Cup and the Hong Kong Derby now. I have a lot of hope. You can see in Australia he already has form over 2400 metres, so I don’t think there will be any problems and we’ll just go for it.”

A half-brother to Impecunious (Sacred Falls), who placed in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Group Two Phar Lap Stakes (1500m), the duo are out of the Zabeel mare Sheezababe, herself a black-type placegetter over a staying distance and is the dam of four winners from four foals to race.

Bred by P Hay and Waikato Stud, the son of Tivaci was sold at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to trainer John O’Shea for $50,000.

Originally raced in Australia as King Of Thunder, finishing in the top five on nine occasions from 12 starts, Numbers (as he is now known) has won two of his three starts in Hong Kong and looks full of promise!

With Tivaci having some solid success in Hong Kong with seven winners from 11 runners, Numbers will surely continue to highlight the class of his G1winning and G1 producing sire.

Interestingly, we will offer an Ocean Park out of our two-time G1-winning Tivaci mare Never Been Kissed at the 2026 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 463 – click to view.