Numbers (NZ) Stakes Classic Series Claim in G3 Centenary Vase

An emphatic victory in Sunday’s HK$4.2m Group Three Centenary Vase (1800m) at Sha Tin has propelled NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Numbers (NZ) (Tivaci), better knwon in Australia as King of Thunder, into contention for Hong Kong’s coveted Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

The HK$13m Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 1 and HK$26m Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 22 now loom large on the horizon for Numbers, who was a $50,000 purchase from Ohukia Lodge’s draft at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale.

Numbers has had 15 starts for four wins and seven placings. His short but highly promising Hong Kong career has produced two wins and a placing from just three appearances, earning HK$7.4m (NZ$1.57m).

He previously raced in Australia under the name King Of Thunder, winning two of his 12 starts and finishing second in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) and third in the Group Two Tulloch Stakes (2000m), Group Two Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) and Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2000m). He banked A$478,425 in his Australian career.

Now trained by Frankie Lor, Numbers ran third in his Hong Kong debut on December 10 before opening his winning account in convincing style on December 27.

The step into feature company for Sunday’s Centenary Vase brought more of the same. Numbers was ridden by Derek Leung and led all the way, kicking away again when challenged in the straight and winning by two lengths.

“He did a very good job,” Leung said. “He was still a bit nervous in the gates, but he jumped nicely and the first half-mile they challenged him but he handled himself pretty good. After he relaxed, I started to pick up at the 800 metres, and he made my job pretty easy. He was more relaxed in this race than before and he’s getting fitter. I think he’s ready for the Derby and Classic Cup. He’ll keep improving.”

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.”

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

Sunday’s Centenary Vase produced a Ready to Run Sale quinella. The second-placed Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) failed to meet his $150,000 reserve at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale and began his career in New Zealand under the name Keenasabean. He has now had 21 starts for five wins, three placings and over HK$10.8m (NZ$2.29m) in prize-money.