Matthew Poon Ming-fai rode Romantic Thor to victory in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup over 2,400m at Sha Tin on Sunday. The five-year-old Justify gelding, trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing, led all the way and beat Gentlemen Legacy by half a length. [1]
Romantic Thor carried the bottom weight of 116lb from barrier two in the seven-horse race. He went off as the third favourite at $5.4 in rain-affected conditions. [1]
Poon said before the race that he and Shum believed the horse had the stamina for the trip, and he pointed to the light weight and the track conditions after the win. "Danny and I knew he could do this and today he carried a light weight and he loved the track conditions. Before the race we had confidence he would show something and we’re glad he did," Poon said. [1]
Shum also backed the horse’s stamina and said the pace setup helped him control the race. "I’m confident he can stay 2,400m, especially today," Shum said. "Look at the Group races – always the lightweight has got an advantage first. The second thing is; today he was the front runner – and also put on the fence – he got all the advantages." He added that Romantic Thor could go on to bigger targets. [1]
The horse raced in Hong Kong after previously running for Aidan O'Brien as Capulet. Shum said he needs to speak with owner Peter Lau Pak-fai about the next step, but expects Romantic Thor to line up in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup over 2,400m on May 24, with stablemate Romantic Warrior possibly joining him. [1]
