One of the fiercest Champion Jockey battles in recent memory concluded in thrilling fashion at Hong Kong’s Season Finale at Sha Tin on Sunday as Zac Purton claimed his second title, sealing the result with victory on Rise High in the Class 1 Sha Tin Mile Trophy Handicap (1600m).
Purton ended with a tally of 136 wins for the season, compared to runner-up Joao Moreira’s 134. As a measure of their domination, third-placed Karis Teetan rode 52 winners.
Purton and Moreira face the media (Pic – Hong Kong Jockey Club)
“It’s been a long, damp day,” a visibly-relieved Purton said as he returned to the jockeys’ room in the moments after claiming victory in the Champion Jockey race. “It’s good to finally put it to bed, it’s a relief. Joao’s a fierce competitor and we both gave it our absolute all. It’s what everyone expected, that it would come down to the last four races, and I feel like I can finally enjoy the rest of the day now that it’s over.”
Purton, who had won his first title in 2013/14, entered the 11-race Season Finale meeting four wins ahead of rival and defending champion Moreira. However, the Brazilian struck the first blow, winning the opener, the Class 5 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1800m), on the David Hall-trained Cash Courier.
Moreira would later add wins on the Tony Millard-prepared Bold Stitch and Superich for Frankie Lor, but by then, it was too late; Purton, who had relinquished the title to Moreira in 2014/15 and then finished a distant second to the Magic Man as he set new benchmarks in 2015/16 and 2016/17, had finally prevailed.
Zac Purton lifts his trophy (Pic – Hong Kong Jockey Club)
“I thought I was going to be able to win it quite comfortably, but then Joao seemed to get a second wind,” Purton said. “It’s been a tense last month, he’s often had the better book of rides and I’ve just had to hope that I could hold on – that was the case today. As things turned out, one win was enough to hold on.
“I think this is sweeter than the first one. I always thought I was going to win the first one, it was very comfortable for most of the season, but this one I never really looked likely so it is definitely sweet to come from behind Joao and beat him.”
Moreira will depart for Japan on Monday and received a rapturous reception from fans in the Sha Tin parade ring.
“The relationship I have with the fans here in Hong Kong is something special and I really do love them all,” the Brazilian said. “All of these great times I’ve had over here, including today, it is something that I won’t just remember but it’s something that will always sit in my heart.
“Zac deserved to win the premiership, I think he worked harder than me to be honest and he’s also got the right support and made good use of it. But it’s been an amazing season for me and I can’t be disappointed. Very few jockeys can ride over 130 winners in a season, so I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve in my time here. I leave with my head held high.”
-Hong Kong Jockey Club
