Lor hopes it’s third time lucky for Massive Sovereign
Massive Sovereign begins a new chapter in his eventful career at Sha Tin on Sunday when he steps out for the first time under the care of Frankie Lor, his third trainer in as many seasons.
The 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby champion has endured a torrid period following that remarkable victory under Zac Purton, undergoing multiple surgeries and having screws inserted in both front fetlocks, as well as in his left hind fetlock.
Since that win in March 2024, he has appeared just six times – often on the comeback trail following injury – all without making the frame.
After breaking through for Hong Kong Derby success under Dennis Yip, he switched to David Eustace’s stable in December 2024, where he endured a luckless period – his best performance a solid fourth to Sagacious Life in a Class 2 over 1600m last October, before injury struck again.
After just 14 months under Eustace’s stewardship, the six-year-old was transferred to Lor’s yard. The 2021/22 Hong Kong Champion Trainer has had to be patient with the Irish-bred, but after more than five months of recuperation, he believes Massive Sovereign (127lb) is ready to return in Sunday’s feature race, the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1600m).
“The horse has had a few injuries,” Lor said.
“Three of his legs have screws, and then the right hind hock had a tendon problem. So when I got the horse to my stable, he was still a bit lame in the right hind. So I need to work really hard to make him race.”
Lor said an encouraging outing in his latest barrier trial at the end of June signalled his readiness.
“I trialled him twice,” Lor said. “The first was just so-so, but the second trial looked better.
“I asked the jockey a little bit to see if in the last 200 (metres) he can show anything, and he came back and said: ‘He looks OK. The last 200m, I asked him and he looks good.’”
Andrea Atzeni will be in the saddle for the first time as Lor looks to unlock the gelding’s undoubted potential and deliver a first win in over two years and three months.
“I think we’ll just jump and relax first, and then we’ll see in the last quarter if he can – like in the (Hong Kong) Derby – I think he will close well,” Lor added.
Elsewhere on the card, Eustace will look to continue a positive end to the season with Vivacious Win (132lb), who makes the switch to Sha Tin after some creditable performances at Happy Valley, where he made the top three five times in nine outings.
On 35 winners in his sophomore campaign, Eustace is aiming to better his debut season tally of 36 successes and saddles the four-year-old in the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1600m).
In-form Ethan Brown takes the ride as the gelding tackles a mile around Sha Tin for the first time.
After a 10-pound hike from the handicapper following an emphatic five-length victory in May, Eustace sounded some caution about Vivacious Win’s chances of registering a second win of the season.
“Honestly, I was worried when the handicapper did what he did,” Eustace said. “Everything went perfectly for him (in his last win). He found a relatively poor race, they went a nice gallop that he had to aim at, and the winning margin probably flattered him a bit, honestly. So, I think he might find it a little bit tough, but we’ll see.”
Sunday’s 11-race fixture, the final Sha Tin meeting of the 2025/26 season, starts at 4pm local time with the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap (1800m).
