Frankie Lor backs brilliance of Purton: ‘Zac always rides this horse better than the other jockeys'
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is backing the brilliance of Zac Purton to be the difference when Bottomuptogether tackles Saturday's Class Two HKU Business School And Faculty Of Engineering Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.
Bottomuptogether has compiled a strong record over 1,200m on the Sha Tin turf this season without actually winning, racing at the course and distance five times for four seconds and a third.
A galloper who likes to race on pace, Bottomuptogether will have to overcome barrier 10 of 11 if he is to add to his wins under Purton at Happy Valley and on the Sha Tin dirt this season.
'This time he has drawn 10, which is a little bit awkward because inside him he has some horses who are quite fast,' said Lor.
'It will depend on how he jumps. If he jumps better than the others maybe he can lead, but if someone goes crazy in front maybe he can take a sit.
There's the four-timer! 🙌
Bottomuptogether wins the Class 2 Kowloon Bay Handicap easily to seal @zpurton's Sunday quartet at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/KuP1z2kMi4 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 20, 2025
'I think Zac knows the horse more than me. Zac always rides this horse better than the other jockeys, so I'll just leave it to him.'
Bottomuptogether must carry 133lb in a hot Class Two contest featuring the likes of Raging Blizzard, Wunderbar and Gorgeous Win.
After three Sha Tin turf wins under Purton to begin his career last season – two at 1,000m and one at 1,200m – saw Bottomuptogether's rating jump 27 points to 79, the four-year-old has pushed onto triple figures this campaign.
While Lor feels it's been a slow burn for the son of Shamus Award, he hopes the 102-rated speedster has Group racing in his future.
'I hope so, because he's a horse who has improved slowly, slowly. He just gets a little bit better each time. He's still young, he's only four years old, so I hope next season we can try for Group Races,' said Lor, pointing to the fact Bottomuptogether's full-brother and stablemate, Beauty Live, has won at a mile in Class Two.
Ice cold from the Zac-Man! 🥶
FUN N FUN TOGETHER dominates from start to finish to win at Sha Tin under the champion jockey @zpurton. #HKRacing | @FCLOR_RACING
pic.twitter.com/q66grCoc7v — Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) May 18, 2025
'His full-brother is Beauty Live so hopefully he can handle a bit longer in time, but at this stage he's still a bit keen in the early stages so I'll leave him at 1,200m until he can relax more.'
Also among Lor's eight-strong Sha Tin hand is Fun N Fun Together, a last-start winner who will also carry 133lb under Purton.
Drawn gate five for the Class Four HKU Faculties Of Dentistry And Social Sciences Handicap (1,200m) on the all-weather track, Fun N Fun Together is another who likes to set the tone from the front.
'If he can lead by himself he is better. We have drawn five and I hope he can do the same – just jump and roll in front. He's in good form,' Lor said of his four-year-old.
Sitting on 44 successes for the campaign – two behind last season's haul – Lor also saddles up Money Tycoon, Dreaming Winner, Musang King, Lucky Archangel, Money Catcher and Victory Moments.
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