Latest news with #LaCityBlanche
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Zac Purton uncertain how Bundle Award will handle distance test in Queen Mother Memorial Cup
Zac Purton will put his faith in master trainer John Size and Bundle Award's quality when the champion jockey chases a third success in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Handicap (2,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. An impressive winner of three Australian races pre-import and two in Hong Kong, Bundle Award rises to 2,400m for the first time on the back of a solid seventh in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) and a last-start fourth over 1,800m. Purton, who has won the Queen Mother Memorial on Exultant (2018) and Dominant (2013), is uncertain how the son of Shamus Award will handle the distance test. 'It's an interesting one,' said the star Australian rider. Bundle Award punches his 2025 @BMW Hong Kong Derby ticket! 🔥@BenThompson2102 gets John Size's galloper home from the back of the field for a first Class 2 win at Sha Tin... #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025 'He didn't appear to finish it off too strong in the Derby, but it was always going to be hard from where he was to get into the race. They went so slow and sprinted home, so sometimes that's hard to get a proper handle on a performance. 'He still ran home in quick time but every horse ran home in quick time. I think the question mark is there at the distance but it's a small field, he relaxes and he'll give himself a chance. We've just got to find out if he can run it.' After finishing two lengths behind shock winner Cap Ferrat in the Derby, Bundle Award was ridden by Purton for the first time when running on from near last to finish fourth behind Californiatotality in the Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup (1,800m). 'It was good. He got the start wrong, the race wasn't run to suit and he kept finding the line,' Purton said. 'He sprinted quick from the 400m to the 200m and then seemed to flatten out the last bit, so maybe he does want further. We'll find out on Sunday.' Bundle Award can deliver Size his first victory in the HK$4.2 million feature since his breakthrough success with Dr Well in 2006. He jumps from barrier two in the field of six. Tony Cruz boasts half of the field in his bid for a sixth victory in the race, with last year's winner La City Blanche, Five G Patch and Winning Dragon his representatives. Mark Newnham's Bravehearts, a Group One winner over 2,400m in Argentina pre-import, and Derby runner Noisy Boy round out the field. Armed with a strong book of 10 rides on the 11-race card, Purton will also pilot Size's exciting galloper Crossborderpegasus for the first time in the Class Three Gascoigne Handicap (1,200m). The three-year-old won his first two starts before a close second to Aeris Nova when wide throughout last start. 'I did a lot of work on him before he raced, but I was obviously out injured so Hugh [Bowman] was able to get on him and he's done a really good job,' Purton said. 'He's got that tendency to hang in and he's drawn out wide [in barrier 10]. It's not going to be an easy task for him, but he's a quality horse that looks as if he's still on the way up. Hopefully we can get in the right spot and give him his chance.' Impressive win, Mickley! 👌 John Size scoops a four-timer at Sha Tin as the #4YOSeries prospect gets off the mark in Hong Kong under @HugeBowman... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 15, 2024 Mickley in the Class Two Hillwood Handicap (1,600m) is another of Purton's rides for Size, with the former British galloper stepping out for the first time since his eighth in the Derby. 'He showed a lot early then seemed to lose his way a little bit,' Purton said of Mickley, who won brilliantly over 1,600m at his second start in the city last December. 'He's had a bit of time between runs. I think it's just a matter of finding out what works for him again.' The All Out, Super Eagle, Better And Better, Shamus Storm, Amazing Run, Packing Turbine and The Boom Box are Purton's other rides on Sunday.
South China Morning Post
19-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Frankie Lor chases Class Two double with in-form pair at Sha Tin
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen will chase a Class Two double at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon with in-form pair Voyage Samurai and Bottomuptogether headlining the handler's all-out assault on the 10-race card. 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 👉 — 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 — 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 — 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.
