Numbers led them a merry dance and showed he is the real deal with an authoritative all-the-way performance in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Second in the Group One Queensland Derby (2,400m) on his final start before being imported, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s galloper again enhanced his claims on the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after being guided to a facile success by Derek Leung Ka-chun.

The son of Tivaci ran riot from the front to get off the mark in Hong Kong on his second local start and repeated the dose in much deeper waters, giving some established Group horses a lesson from pillar to post.

Pressured early by Ensued after the break, Numbers eventually cleared that rival and set some strong sectionals. He looked a shade vulnerable turning in as the likes of Speed Dragon and Chancheng Glory loomed up.

But once put under pressure, the stamina reserves quickly kicked in and after Chancheng Glory got to his quarters, Lor’s four-year-old kicked in the turbo and he booted on into an ultimately cosy two-length success.

Leung is adamant Numbers can now kick on to Classic Series glory in the Classic Cup (1,800m) on March 1 and Derby on March 22.

“He did a very good job. He was still a bit nervous in the gates, he jumped nicely and the first half mile they challenged him but he handled himself pretty good,” said Leung.

“After he relaxed, I started to pick up at the 800m and he made my job pretty easy. In the race he was more relaxed than before and he’s getting fitter. I think he’s ready for the Derby and Classic Cup – he’ll keep improving.”

Stamina was always going to be the name of the game for the $1.75 favourite, who saw the 2,400m trip out strongly in Australia, but his cruising speed has meant shorter trips have been no problem for him.

He may return to 2,400m in the future, but his trainer Lor’s focus is now on getting his exciting charge ready for the Classic Cup and Derby, where he is set to clash with Little Paradise in what shapes as a mouth-watering prospect.

“He won really well, I think the light weight was good for him. Usually, in the Group Three, light weights mostly run really good,” said Lor.

“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 2,400m, so I don’t think there will be any problems and we’ll just go for it.”

Lor will be looking for a third win in the Classic Cup on March 1, having been successful in the race in 2019 with Mission Tycoon and in 2021 with Healthy Happy.

The 2021-22 champion trainer also has previous success in the Derby, winning it in 2019 with Furore, and Numbers will head into the final two legs of the Classic Series city’s as one of the favourites back against his own age group.

He will now bid to follow in the footsteps of Industrial Pioneer and Vengeance Of Rain, who are the only horses this century to do the Centenary Vase and Derby double.

He was chased home by Group Three January Cup (1,800m) winner Speed Dragon, who ran a valiant race, while Encountered returned to something like his best to lash home into third for Brett Crawford.