Six-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton believes he has his work cut out in his bid for a fourth success in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (6 December) after a challenging start to the season.
However, several of the rider’s mounts were drawn advantageously at the official allocation event at Sha Tin on Monday (4 December) and he is optimistic the mid-week night meeting can act as a launchpad for a successful Sunday (10 December) at the HK$118 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR).
Purton, who won the IJC in 2017, 2020 and 2021, rode a double at Sha Tin on Sunday (3 December) to take his seasonal tally to 34 wins and, while he isn’t content with how the campaign has panned out so far, he is looking forward to representing Hong Kong, China and taking on a world-class line-up including Ryan Moore, James McDonald and Yuga Kawada.
“The season hasn’t gone so well so far, I need to be better,” Purton said. “I just like to win races and I go out there in every race trying my best. It has been a challenge at the moment but it’s an exciting week and it’s good to be a part of it.
“Hong Kong is an extremely tough place, nothing ever gets given to you and you’ve got to work for everything you get – and if you do well, the rewards are there.
“I don’t think I’ve drawn the best horses but the fields seem fairly even this year. I think there’s good depth to it and a lot of the jockeys have got chances. I don’t think I’ve got a standout and I think I’ve got my work cut out.
“This week has been very good to me in the past so hopefully it can be again.”
Early positioning is key at the city track and Purton’s problems will at least be minimised in the first and final legs, with his mounts Savvy Delight drawn one in the Class 4 handicap over 1000m and Kaholo Angel set to break from two in the Class 3 handicap over 1200m.