In a remarkable turn of events at Happy Valley racecourse, esteemed horse trainer Frankie Lor successfully ended the most prolonged winless streak of his career. The 2021-22 champion trainer experienced a significant upturn in fortunes when debutant Golden Long secured victory, marking Lor’s first win since November 11, following a run of 55 races without a win.
Lor, celebrated for a record-setting debut season with 65 wins and a total of 409 career victories, expressed relief and satisfaction. Despite not feeling pressured, he acknowledged the challenges faced in keeping the horses in prime condition, citing health issues like fever that some of his horses endured. “We are the trainers, and we try and keep the horse healthy first before we put them in the race,” Lor stated, emphasizing the importance of equine well-being in racing.
Golden Long, ridden by Matthew Chadwick, demonstrated significant potential, overcoming initial greenness to secure an impressive win in the Class Four Kwun Tong Handicap (1,200m). Chadwick, too, had his share of relief, breaking a 54-ride run of outs. Lor expressed optimism about Golden Long’s future, noting the horse’s strong finish and hopes for its continued improvement.
The evening’s races also saw a comeback victory for Explosive Witness, trained by Caspar Fownes, in the Class Three Choi Wan Handicap (1,000m). Returning to the winner’s circle after a gap of 1,076 days and 24 starts, Explosive Witness, ridden by James McDonald, showcased resilience and determination. Fownes praised the nine-year-old’s consistent performance throughout the season, acknowledging the hard work put into maintaining the horse’s fitness.
Furthermore, the night saw successes for other trainers and jockeys. Fownes celebrated a double win with Super Contented’s triumph in the Class Five Sau Mau Ping Handicap (1,650m). McDonald also enjoyed a double victory, winning aboard Copartner Ambition for trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing. Karis Teetan shared the riding honors, winning aboard Douglas Whyte’s Double Show and Dragon Star for Pierre Ng Pang-chi, the current leader in the premiership.
Lor’s breakthrough at Happy Valley signifies not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the resilience and dedication inherent in horse racing. His return to winning ways reinvigorates his season and offers a promising outlook for his future endeavors in the sport.
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