Zac Purton lauds Bottomuptogether after LONGINES Cup triumph, James Orman rides treble

By Leo Schlink

Jubilant after a Happy Valley treble, Zac Purton lavished praise on Bottomuptogether after Frankie Lor’s durable sprinter claimed the HK$2.84 million Class 2 LONGINES Cup Handicap (1000m) on Wednesday night (21 October).

Despite carrying 135lb and jumping from the outside gate of barrier 10, Bottomuptogether forged to the lead under nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Purton and, after comfortably dictating terms, had a length and three-quarters to spare at the finish from Horsepower (118lb), with Glowing Praises (108lb) third.

Clocking 56.76s, Bottomuptogether posted his seventh career victory – with six of those triumphs coming under Purton, including three successive wins from the Shamus Award gelding’s first three starts.

“He’s been a terrific horse, a prolific winner and he’s honest. He gets out there and does it the hard way. He had that again tonight – top weight, widest gate, showed good speed to get across,” Purton said.

“He was always in a lovely rhythm and obviously got that gap on them and held on. It was typical of him.”

Bottomuptogether’s fourth Class 2 victory boosted the six-year-old’s career earnings to HK$14.26 million as Lor contemplates racing in further Group races with the 100-rater.

“I think so because maybe they (handicappers) will give him five or six points, which means he'll be 105 or 106. You can't wait too long for the other races,” Lor said.

Purton also scored on Ace for Mark Newnham and David Hayes-trained Turin Champions to have 25 wins for the campaign – 13 clear of Vincent Ho (12) and apprentice Nichola Yuen (11).

Mark Newnham-trained Ace (128lb) made a perfect Happy Valley debut by claiming the second section of the Class 4 Racing Spirit Handicap (1650m). A dual winner at Sha Tin, the five-year-old was given an economical ride by Purton.

Hayes praised Purton’s tactical enterprise after Turin Champions (132lb) win in the first section of the Class 4 Racing Spirit Handicap (1650m).

“He had no luck last start and Zac, full compliments to him, he summed up the race - they went fast and he got a bit tired late, second up at 1600m. But, I think he could be a really good Happy Valley horse,” Hayes said.

“Zac said 'do you mind if I grab the race by the scruff of the neck and put him in the race?' and it worked - a good, positive ride. He read it different than most - that's probably why he's at the top, isn't he?”

James Orman rode his first treble in Hong Kong with the wins of Verbier, Malpensa and Solid Win as Caspar Fownes fired in a double to vault into second place overall with 11 wins behind Pierre Ng (12) in the trainers’ championship after the successes of Verbier and Super Sixty.

Verbier (132lb) slotted his second course and distance victory, emerging late under Orman to snare the Class 5 Success Handicap (1200m) before Super Sixty (121lb) finished powerfully for Ellis Wong to land the Class 4 Speedy Handicap (1000m).

Orman’s strong season continued with the success of Chris So’s Malpensa (134lb) in the second section of the Class 4 Swifty Handicap (1200m) and Ricky Yiu’s Solid Win (129lb) in the Class 3 Songs Of Victory Handicap (1650m).

The Australian has nine wins for the term and is targeting another 30-win season.

“It’s my first treble in Hong Kong and I’m very excited, very happy,” Orman said. “I came here with good rides but didn’t really expect to get three wins but I’ve been working hard this season and slowly getting the results.

“It would be good to pass 30 wins for the season but everyone knows how hard it is and I would like to ride a black type winner here, but it’s hard with my weight.”

Wong improved his haul to seven after Danny Shum’s Leading Agility (115lb) proved too strong in the Class 3 Flying Handicap (1200m), as Yuen continued an outstanding season by partnering Virtus Glory (123lb) to victory in the first section of the Class 4 Swifty Handicap (1200m) for Yiu, taking her seasonal tally to 11 wins.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 October) with the running of the HK$5.35 million G2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m).