Frankie Lor Fu-chuen says he has put Flagship Glory’s Hong Kong Derby snubbing behind him as he chases his second victory in the prestigious race on Sunday.

The handler will be represented only by Classic Cup winner Healthy Happy in the HK$24 million contest after officials opted to start other horses ahead of the in-form Flagship Glory.

Should he not receive a last-minute call up to the Derby, Flagship Glory will go around in a Class Two 1,600m race on the day.

“Of course [it was disappointing],” Lor said. “When the entries came out I thought ‘oh no’. Some of the horses, their form isn’t very good so I don’t know what happens. This horse has good potential, he would do 2,000m no problem.

“We are just waiting to see if he can get in but if not, he will be in the Class Two 1,600m race.”

While he was surprised by Healthy Happy’s wire-to-wire victory in the Classic Cup last month, Lor says the tricky 2,000m Derby start at Sha Tin will present a different set of challenges for his Australian import.

Hong Kong jockeys, trainers told not to attend restaurants as Covid-19 again looms large

“He has shown us he can relax in the morning so we are hoping he can do it again,” he said.

“The horse is going well but 2,000m is an unknown. Going into the Classic Cup, it was also his first time at 1,800m so we didn’t know what he would do.

“We were hoping he would lead, but we didn’t expect to be able to go as slow as he did. In the end we stole the race with a short sprint.”

With the John Size-trained Silver Express entering the Classic Series for the first time in the Derby, Lor will be keeping a close eye on Thursday’s barrier draw with the grey looking like a potential speed influence.

“A good barrier is important to him in the Derby,” Lor said. “In the race, my boss’ horse [Silver Express] is having his first go at 2,000m too so he might try and lead.”

In the meantime, Lor takes a seven-strong team to Happy Valley on Wednesday night as he looks to cement himself among the top three trainers in Hong Kong.

While Size and Caspar Fownes are out in front with 51 winners, Lor currently finds himself in a four-way logjam with Francis Lui Kin-wai, Danny Shum Chap-shing and Tony Cruz – all of whom have between 37 and 42 wins.

We The South has been one of his stable stars this season, reeling off three victories and two seconds in seven starts, but has been struck down by the dreaded barrier 12 in the Class Two Chester Handicap (1,200m).

“Unfortunately he drew barrier 12 this time, this is a problem,” Lor laughed. “In this race, some of the other horses are also fast so we will jump out and try to lead, but if he doesn’t jump maybe he can sit behind them.”

To be ridden again by Vagner Borges, Lor is taking hope from an all-weather trial in January where he was able to sit off the speed.

“We tried him one or two times on the dirt at the trials, [Christophe] Soumillon rode him and he sat behind them,” he said. “The horse’s form is very good, it is just the draw that concerns me. He is still improving so it is hard to say where he is at.”

Lor also has Peak To Peak, Supreme Plus, Superbella, Cheerful Star, Larson and Winning Brew racing on the night.