Frankie Lor Fu-chuen emphatically ended his slowest start to a season with a drought-breaking double at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Hong Kong’s champion trainer in 2021-22, Lor went winless in September and was left frustrated by six seconds from his first 45 runners this term.

But the 58-year-old finally got the monkey off his back when Master Trillion defied his poor trial form to claim the Class Four Middle Bay Handicap (1,000m).

Sword Point made it a brace for Lor and jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun in the strongest race on Sunday’s card, the Class Two Nam Long Shan Handicap (1,650m).

“It took a long time to get a winner, but sometimes you just have to concentrate on your horses, get them in good form for the races and not worry about the days that you will win. Sometimes you just don’t know when you will win,” Lor said.

“I‘ve had six seconds – some just beaten by a head, some just beaten by a neck, some had no luck. I haven’t been that lucky.”

Lor’s breakthrough result leaves Jamie Richards and David Eustace as the only trainers without a victory this season.

No better than fifth in his four trials leading up to his first start, Master Trillion saved his best for race day and capitalised on a lacklustre field.

The Mendelssohn four-year-old, who was sent out a $10 chance, settled just behind midfield as Happy Horse and Spicy Spangle battled for the front.

Leung made his move down the centre of the track passing the 400m and Master Trillion responded with a strong finishing burst.

He wore down Spicy Spangle, who had shot clear at the 200m, to score by a length. Spicy Spangle held second ahead of $1.9 favourite Metro Warrior, who never threatened after labouring under pressure from the 400m.

Lor admitted he was more hopeful than confident about Master Trillion’s race debut.

“His trials weren’t really good – just so-so,” he said. “Some horses like this, when they don’t trial very good, maybe in a race they’ll be better.

“I think this horse is like that. Also, this race wasn’t that strong. I think he should get further later on. We’ll see how he improves after this race.”

Master Trillion races in the colours of owner Fok Yuk-tong. He also raced the Lor-trained Master Eight, who won his first five starts including the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) in 2022.

Sword Point handled his first test on Sha Tin’s all-weather track with aplomb, running on from third to easily account for the fast-finishing Adefill by three and three-quarter lengths.

The six-year-old also relished a drop in grade after racing in three Group Ones and a host of other features last season, with his best result a close second to Straight Arron in the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m).

“I think early last season, he still ran well but then his form dropped until now,” Lor said.

“His rating dropped to 96. He’s by American Pharoah and he’s always trialled well on the dirt, so I thought we could try a race.

“I think this horse will go to the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse in early November. I don’t think there will be another dirt race for him for a while.”