Happy Valley, 21 October 2026: Bottomuptogether produced another authoritative performance at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, overcoming top weight and the widest starting position to win the HK$2.84 million LONGINES Cup Handicap over 1000 metres. The victory capped a memorable evening for Zac Purton, who completed a treble and continued to extend his lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship.
Trained by Frankie Lor, the six-year-old sprinter showed his customary early speed to take command from barrier 10. Carrying 135lb, Purton sent Bottomuptogether forward immediately, allowing the gelding to settle into a comfortable rhythm before maintaining his advantage through the closing stages.
Horsepower, carrying 118lb, finished second, a length and three-quarters behind the winner, while Glowing Praises, with 108lb, took third place. Bottomuptogether stopped the clock at 56.76 seconds for his seventh career victory.
The result also marked his fourth success in Class 2 company, taking his career earnings to HK$14.26 million. Six of his seven victories have come with Purton in the saddle, including three consecutive wins at the beginning of his career.
Bottomuptogether Extends Winning Record at Happy Valley
Purton was full of admiration for the durable sprinter, particularly given the demands of carrying the highest weight from the outside gate.
“He’s been a terrific horse, a prolific winner and he’s honest. He gets out there and does it the hard way,” Purton said, highlighting the challenge of securing an early position from the widest barrier.
The champion jockey explained that Bottomuptogether maintained a strong rhythm after taking the lead and had enough in reserve to hold off his challengers.
Lor is now considering further Group-race opportunities for the horse, whose rating currently stands at 100. However, the trainer acknowledged that a likely rise in the ratings could make the timing of future engagements an important consideration.
“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 Adds Two More Winners to His Tally
Bottomuptogether was not Purton’s only success on the evening. The nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey also partnered Ace and Turin Champions to victory, taking his seasonal total to 25 wins.
That tally put him 13 clear of Vincent Ho, who had 12 victories, while apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen followed with 11.
Mark Newnham-trained Ace made an encouraging first appearance at Happy Valley, winning the second section of the Class 4 Racing Spirit Handicap over 1650 metres. Carrying 128lb, the five-year-old produced a measured performance under Purton, adding to his two previous victories at Sha Tin.
Turin Champions, trained by David Hayes, claimed the first section of the same race. Carrying 132lb, the runner benefited from an assertive ride after an unsuccessful previous outing.
Hayes praised Purton for reading the race well and committing to a positive approach.
The trainer noted that the field travelled at a strong pace and that Turin Champions tired late, but he remained optimistic about the horse’s prospects at Happy Valley. The performance suggested that the course could prove a suitable venue for future appearances.
James Orman Celebrates First Hong Kong Treble
Australian jockey James Orman enjoyed a landmark evening by recording his first treble in Hong Kong. His winners were Verbier, Malpensa and Solid Win, taking his seasonal tally to nine victories.
Verbier, trained by Caspar Fownes, secured the Class 5 Success Handicap over 1200 metres. Carrying 132lb, the runner produced a late finish under Orman to record a second course-and-distance victory.
Fownes completed a training double when Super Sixty won the Class 4 Speedy Handicap over 1000 metres. Ellis Wong partnered the 121lb runner to a strong finish, adding another success to the trainer’s campaign.
The double lifted Fownes to 11 seasonal wins, placing him second in the trainers’ championship behind Pierre Ng, who had 12.
Orman’s other victories came aboard Chris So-trained Malpensa in the second section of the Class 4 Swifty Handicap over 1200 metres and Ricky Yiu-trained Solid Win in the Class 3 Songs Of Victory Handicap over 1650 metres.
Orman said he was delighted to achieve his first Hong Kong treble, particularly after arriving at the meeting with several promising opportunities.
He also expressed his ambition to surpass 30 wins during the season and record a black-type victory in Hong Kong, while recognising the challenges involved in reaching those targets.
Yuen and Wong Continue Their Progress
Ellis Wong increased his seasonal tally to seven when Danny Shum-trained Leading Agility won the Class 3 Flying Handicap over 1200 metres. Carrying 115lb, the runner proved too strong for the opposition.
Nichola Yuen also continued her impressive campaign, partnering Virtus Glory to victory in the first section of the Class 4 Swifty Handicap over 1200 metres. The Ricky Yiu-trained runner carried 123lb, and the success took Yuen to 11 wins for the season.
With Purton extending his lead among the jockeys, Fownes strengthening his position in the trainers’ standings and Orman recording a personal milestone, Wednesday’s programme provided several notable developments across the Happy Valley meeting.
Sha Tin Prepares for Sunday’s Major Contest
Hong Kong racing will resume at Sha Tin on Sunday, 25 October, with the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl Handicap over 1200 metres.
The sprint contest will provide the next major highlight on the Hong Kong racing calendar as horses and connections prepare for another competitive afternoon.
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