Presently riding at the peak of his powers, Zac Purton is enjoying his fastest ever start to a season in Hong Kong and this Sunday (7 November) at Sha Tin he is looking to maintain his early push with a view to winning a fifth jockeys’ championship.
Purton’s 28 wins through the first 16 race meetings is his swiftest ever beginning, eclipsing the 24 he collected across the same time frame in 2013/14, which eventually resulted in his first riding title in Hong Kong.
The HK$30.848 million he’s banked for connections is also a new record, toppling his previous high of HK$29.174 that he earned through the early stages of his 2018/19 campaign.
Taking nine rides this weekend, Purton is spurred on by his pairing with Glorious Dragon in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) as well as his burgeoning partnership with arguably Hong Kong’s most exciting horse, the unbeaten Nervous Witness.
Pitted as one of the leading hopes for the home team’s defence of the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) next month, Glorious Dragon will this weekend aim to bolster his preparation with victory in the HK$3.7 million G3 contest.
“He’s working really well, he’s fresh and his action is really nice and smooth. He’s come a long way in the last 18 months, he’s consistent and always runs well – I’m sure he will do the same again,” Purton said.
Unlucky last-start in the G2 Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin, the Irish-bred son of Teofilo closed off without running room in a bunched finish behind Panfield.