Zac Purton has edged closer to the precipice of Hong Kong racing history after drawing to within three wins of matching Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813 victories with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 January).

The seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey slotted a double on Bottomuptogether and Kasa Papa to take his career haul in Hong Kong to 1,810, leaving Purton poised to overtake 13-time Hong Kong champion Whyte’s tally on Sunday (19 January) at Sha Tin when the Australian partners Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m).

Starting the meeting with 1,808 Hong Kong wins, Purton proceeded to a double, while also posting a second, two thirds and a fifth from seven rides after his mount in the third race – Happy Daily – was a late scratching at the barriers.

“It’s okay, I’ve still got work to do,” Purton said after his mount Aurora Lady was beaten by a short head in the Class 3 Connaught Handicap (1200m) by Whyte-trained Wings Of War, whose victory in the evening finale gave Hugh Bowman a treble.

Purton claimed the meeting’s feature – the Class 2 Jackson Handicap (1000m) – with Frankie Lor’s Bottomuptogether. Settling third on the fence behind Youthful Spirits, the Shamus Award gelding clocked 56.43s in fending off Stellar Express to earn a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million.

“He’s nice horse, he always gives his best. It was a good win, first time at Happy Valley. There was plenty of pressure early, so he had to deal with a lot and he got it done,” Purton said.

Lor said: “Zac rides this horse perfectly. He is the champion, so he’s always busy. He is the first choice always. 

“I have thought he looks like a Group horse, but he’s still not strong enough. He’s only 1,050 pounds. If he can build to maybe 1,100 (lb), he should be better. Anyway, he’s got gate speed and at this moment, 1000m and 1200m should be suitable for him.”

Purton opened his winning account on Tony Cruz-trained Kasa Papa in the Class 5 Ice House Handicap (1800m). Group 3-placed in Australia as High Supremacy for Richard & Michael Freedman, the seven-year-old had posted five minor placings until tonight’s breakthrough.

Second in the jockeys’ championship with 33 wins – 37 behind Purton – Bowman has ridden five winners from his past 14 mounts at Happy Valley following the victories of Wings Of War, Sky Jewellery and Charity Gain.

“We’ve had a successful evening this evening and we’re looking forward to Sha Tin and two big Group 1s on the weekend,” Bowman said.

12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size continued a searing mid-season surge with a double to vault into fifth place with 22 wins to trail only Danny Shum (27), Pierre Ng (27), David Hayes (24) and Mark Newnham (24).

Size struck with Take Action, who was superbly ridden by Brenton Avdulla, in the Class 4 Murray Handicap (1650m) and first-starter Sky Jewellery in the second section of the Class 4 Club Handicap (1200m) for Bowman.

A three-year-old by The Autumn Sun, Sky Jewellery scored in soft fashion to become one of Size’s rare debut victors at Happy Valley.

“It’s rare to see a horse deliver a performance like that on their debut, particularly at Happy Valley,” Bowman said. “But he did everything really well. For a horse with his inexperience, I thought he coped very well so he’s going to be one to keep an eye on.”

David Eustace, Size and Cruz all recorded doubles.

After saddling Kasa Papa, Cruz combined with Angus Chung and Parents’ Love with an all-the-way triumph in the Class 4 Hong Kong Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m), while Eustace scored with Charity Gain to victory in the Class 4 Lambeth Handicap (1800m) and Definitive in the Class 3 Chater Handicap (1650m) for Karis Teetan.

A former New Zealander, Definitive pipped Soleil Fighter in a gripping finish to earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million after while Ng struck with Motoman in the first section of the Class 4 Club Handicap (1200m) under Andrea Atzeni.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 January) with the running of the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).