Reigning champion jockey Zac Purton dominated the 11-race card at Sha Tin on Sunday, notching five wins and reaching the milestone of 900 wins in the territory.
Purton in a familiar pose
The Australian snagged Races 3, 4, 5 and 8 before sealing a memorable day in the last aboard the John Moore-trained Taking Aim.
“I came to Hong Kong hoping to ride one win and here we are over a decade later with 900. It’s very satisfying,” he said.
South African Douglas Whyte is the rider with the most wins all-time – 1,809 and counting – but Purton is now eyeing the next in line, Tony Cruz, who posted a tally of 946 before retiring and taking up training in Hong Kong.
Douglas Whyte (photo: HKJC)
“I’ve got Tony in my sights now,” joked Purton.
He is now 12 winners clear of Mauritian Karis Teetan at the top of the current championship.
“I came here thinking I had a pretty average book of rides,” noted Purton. “I thought if I had one win I’d be happy, and here I am with five on the day. Sometimes you can’t pick it.”
Trainer Dennis Yip provided his long-time ally with victories on Glenealy Generals, Hurricane Hunter and Racing Fighter, while trainer Caspar Fownes was the beneficiary of a strong Purton drive on the front-running Po Ching Treasure.
Racing Fighter took Purton to a tantalising 899th win and the rider earned his fee with a rousting stretch drive that lifted the 5-1 chance to a short-head verdict over 25-1 shot Key Witness.
Of his own good form form, Yip said: “I try hard!” Of Purton he said: “The jockey is in very good form; I will try to give him more.”
Whyte landed a brace thanks to the Chris So-trained Invincible Missile in Race 2 and the grey gelding Monica, trained by Moore, in Race 7.
Former champion jockey Joao Moreira of Brazil won the day’s feature event aboard favourite Conte – John Size’s charge quickening clear of smart handicappers and big-money imports to seal a victory that sparkled with high-class potential.
Silvestre De Sousa
Another Brazilian ace, Silvestre de Sousa, was at his powerful best to win on Pakistan Friend in Race 10, denying Purton and Green Luck by a 1.25-lengths.
Jockey Derek Leung and trainer Manfred Man were on the mark in Race 6 with Ever Laugh, who wore down the Purton-ridden Romantic Chef close home.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 19 December.
- Hong Kong Jockey Club
