Four of the past five editions of the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) have been won by the favourite, and this Sunday (14 December) at Sha Tin, six-year-old Happy Together will aim to defy that trend when he lines up for trainer Frankie Lor and jockey Alexis Badel.

Golden Sixty (2020, 2021 & 2023) and Voyage Bubble (2024) are those market-choice winners. Happy Together, unassuming but reliable across his 35 appearances in Hong Kong, continues to fly under the radar in career-best form ahead of this weekend, finishing a close third in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) behind winner, Galaxy Patch, on 23 November.

Lor said: “His (Happy Together) form is really good. He’s been beaten by small margins. He always keeps his form really good; he gives you everything in his races and he’s a really consistent horse. If he has a good draw, I think he will run well on Sunday. He always gets prize money for the owner.”

The Dragon Pulse galloper has won six times from 35 starts in Hong Kong; he’s also finished top-three in a further 11 outings for HK$24.85 million in career earnings. His biggest win was in the 2024 HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m), while his most recent came in Class 2 over 600 days ago. But his most recent two runs – headlined by a first placing at Group 2 level – have seen him finish no further than half a length behind the winner.

Since 2000, 18 winners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile have started in single figures. Last year’s winner, Voyage Bubble, rising star My Wish, 2025 G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) winner Soul Rush, as well as dual Group 1-winning youngster Embroidery, are expected to attract the most attention.

Docklands, Beauty Joy, Beauvatier, Red Lion, Sunlight Power, Copartner Prance, Patch Of Theta and The Lion In Winter also feature in Sunday’s LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. 

Lor is represented by dual Group 1 runner-up Lucky With You in the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m). The Artie Schiller gelding has had 40 starts in Hong Kong, winning eight times, including twice in Class 1 last season.

Lor said: “He ran really well last start. We took him back and he ran home strongly. I think, with a good draw on Sunday, he will be close. Very hard to beat Ka Ying Rising. The prize money is good, too.”

Sunday’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races also sees the running of the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

Wednesday night’s (10 December) LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley features 12 of the world’s best jockeys converging for the four-race competition under floodlights.