Frankie Lor chasing Eight To Glory with The Azure
Hong Kong trainer Frankie Lor is hoping The Azure (NZ) (Wrote) can salute again at Happy Valley when the city track embraces football fever on Wednesday night as it hosts the Class 4 Eight To Glory, Presented by Lenovo (1650m handicap). The event is carded as Race 4 and will be run at 8.10pm local time (12.10am NZ time).
In the unique eight-runner event, each horse will symbolise one of the eight remaining nations as the football tournament enters the quarter-final stage. Jockeys will sport specially designed silks inspired by the flags and national colours of the country they symbolise, with six quarter-finalists determined by Monday and Tuesday, and the remainder to be confirmed on Wednesday.
The field for the special race consists of Forza Toro (133lb), who will be ridden by Joao Moreira in Spain colours, Sturdy Ruby (133lb, Vincent Ho, Argentina or Egypt), Superb Kid (129lb, Jerry Chau, Morocco), The Azure (127lb, Zac Purton, Switzerland or Colombia), Lucky Year (126lb, Andrea Atzeni, Belgium), Precision Hope (121lb, Alexis Badel, France), Podium (119lb, Matthew Poon, Norway) and Star Elegance (119lb, Lyle Hewitson, England).
Lor is looking forward to the event and is expecting The Azure to run well. A four-time winner at this course and distance, the Wrote gelding finished sixth in his last start, three-and-three-quarter lengths behind the winner, Viva Firecracker, after starting from gate 12 under Zac Purton.
Lor said: “This will be a suitable race for The Azure and has been on our radar all along. We ensured he would have a good chance to be in the race and I am glad he can participate in the event.
“The barrier cost him last start, indeed it is always difficult if you start from gate 12 over 1650m at Happy Valley. He is still in fine form, and hopefully, he can have better luck during the race this time as there is a smaller field. Purton will ride him again,” Lor said.
