Frankie Lor chases Class Two double with in-form pair at Sha Tin
Lor, who has a runner in each of the weekend's races, will hope Voyage Samurai is ready for the 1,800m of the Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup.
An all-the-way winner over a mile last start, Voyage Samurai finds himself in a strong contest featuring the likes of Five G Patch, Helene Feeling, La City Blanche, Winning Dragon and Bundle Award.
'I think he can handle the 1,800m because he has a big stride and he can keep on well on the speed. Since we put the blinkers on, he has improved,' said Lor of his five-year-old, who has sported blinkers in his past three starts for a fourth, a second and a win.
Last-start winner Voyage Samurai headlines Sunday's 11-runner Class 2 Lions Cup at Sha Tin! 🏆 #HKracing
Fields 👉 https://t.co/N0u0M9B2mC pic.twitter.com/09rEfakW4i — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 17, 2025
The only jockey to salute aboard Voyage Samurai with five successes, Derek Leung Ka-chun retains the ride and the pair jump from gate four.
Bottomuptogether also begins from barrier four in the Class Two Kowloon Bay Handicap (1,200m) as he tackles Sha Tin's all-weather track for the first time.
Successful in the grade over the Happy Valley 1,000m three starts back, Bottomuptogether has done just about everything but win over six furlongs at Sha Tin this season.
After three seconds and a third over the turf 1,200m, Lor has opted to roll the dice on the dirt.
FOUR more wins to go! 😏
A new all-time Hong Kong wins record is looming as @zpurton posts his 1,810th Hong Kong victory with a double at Happy Valley aboard favourite Bottomuptogether in the Class 2 dash... 🎯#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/8bNqbws936 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 15, 2025
Zac Purton sticks with the four-year-old son of Shamus Award and they do battle with the likes of Copartner Prance, Beauty Waves and Stellar Express.
'He usually trials very well on the dirt. He can lead or he can sit second. There aren't too many Class Two 1,000m or 1,200m races, so we need to try the dirt. He's in good form,' said Lor, who has had a winner at the past five Sha Tin meetings.
One of the gallopers successful in that streak was South Star, who will look to make it two victories on the bounce in Sunday's Class Three Ho Chung River Handicap (1,400m).
A convincing winner at the course and distance on March 30, South Star steps up in grade and will again be partnered by Andrea Atzeni.
Nice win, South Star! @Atzenijockey guides Frankie Lor's youngster to a stylish first win at his third start... 👊#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/1ulnCZmZRx — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025
Triumphant More is another in-form galloper among Lor's full weekend book, with the four-year-old chasing a fourth win of his debut season in the Class Three Ngau Tau Kok Handicap (1,200m).
Second at the course and distance last start, Triumphant More looks well placed to help Lor, who sits seventh in the trainers' premiership, add to his 35 victories so far this campaign.
The affable handler also saddles up Silver Destiny, Dreaming Winner, Fun N Fun Together, Beauty Live, Lucky Impact and Victory Moments this weekend.
Looking forward, Lor expects to have two runners on Champions Day next weekend – Lucky With You in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Happy Together in the Group One Champions Mile.
The latter will face one less international raider after Lake Forest was withdrawn by William Haggas on Thursday.
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