2021/22 Hong Kong champion trainer Frankie Lor is hoping The Azure can salute again at Happy Valley when the city track embraces football fever on Wednesday night (8 July) 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.

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 (6 July) and Tuesday (7 July), and the remainder to be confirmed by 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.

Meanwhile, Lor is pleased with the recent winning trial performance of Beauty Show, who will run in the Class 4 Volley Handicap (1000m) at the same meeting. The three-year-old son of Shalaa has been knocking at the door with two seconds and one fourth in his four starts in Hong Kong.

Lor said: “Beauty Show ran well in his recent trial and he is a very fit horse now. Hopefully, he can have better luck this time. He is still an immature horse and therefore I mainly race him at Happy Valley for the time being.”

Beauty Show will start from gate nine under Zac Purton.

Wednesday’s (8 July) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley starts at 6.30pm with the Kick Off Handicap (1000m) for Class 5 runners.

Photo: HKJC