20-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Frankie Lor leans on Zac Purton again as Savvy Twinkle looks to break his duck at Happy Valley
Frankie Lor and Zac Purton after Horsepower's winner at Happy Valley in October. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Trainer and champion jockey bid to add to haul of 15 winners from 41 runners when teaming up this season
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is confident he can continue his strong partnership with champion jockey Zac Purton when Savvy Twinkle lines up in the Class Four Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
The Capitalist gelding is yet to win in five career starts, but posted his best effort yet when second to the in-form Super Sixty at the track and distance of Wednesday night's race last month.
Savvy Twinkle was rousted early by Alexis Badel and snaked his way to the rail to lead after 300m, before only being collared in the final 100m after a game rally.
That experience will stand him in great stead and despite facing a wide draw in barrier nine, Lor is confident of a big run from the four-year-old.
Super Sixty rallies up the inside! Apprentice @elliswong05 guides the chestnut to a second win at Happy Valley for Caspar Fownes... 👏#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 23, 2025
'Last time he went well, it's the same distance but last time he was drawn a bit better,' said Lor. 'The pace will be fast, so we'll have to see after he jumps.
'The form looks good and I think there is more to come from him. Hopefully this time Zac can help me.'
Lor has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Purton this season, with the pair teaming for 15 winners from 41 total runners for a very healthy 37 per cent strike rate.
'It's always a positive to have Zac on board – when I ask him he'll pick the right one, so that's why he has 15 winners for me,' said Lor.
Acappella Nova races on-speed under Ange Jones and goes on with the job for @tonygollan 🏇@BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 16, 2024
The 59-year-old trainer also has fascinating Australian import The Red Hare running in the Class Three Wyndham Handicap (1,200m) under jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun.
The son of Sebring Sun – known as Acappella Nova pre-import – was beaten on debut in Australia but won his subsequent two starts, scoring over 1,200m at Eagle Farm and 1,350m at Doomben.
The Red Hare ran well to finish third in a recent barrier trial at the Valley, racing greenly but always under a tight hold.
And Lor is hoping for a big run from him on his local debut, though the draw in stall nine could have again been kinder.
'He's a little bit nervous in the mornings but when he starts cantering he's very quiet,' said Lor. 'He needs to learn a bit more but when I've trialled him, he's been good.
'I think he's OK off a rating of 67, but the draw is a bit unfortunate because stall nine is a bit wider than I'd want.
'I have put the earmuffs on him because he's a bit nervous and I think that will help him. He's got a good chance if overcoming his draw.'
Lor has bounced back from a slow start to the campaign, which saw him go winless in the first month of the season until Master Trillion broke the drought on October 6.
With 42 winners, he sits just two behind third-placed Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and is not too far off the pace overall, with 14 separating him from title leader John Size.
