With only 50 races remaining in the 2024/25 season, Zac Purton secured an eighth Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with a treble at Sha Tin on Saturday to hold an unassailable 59-win lead over nearest rival Hugh Bowman.
Purton, 42, struck aboard Gentlemen Legacy, Copartner Fleet and Fashion Legend to claim a fourth successive championship. The Australian previously claimed the jockeys’ title in 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 and now has a record 1,866 Hong Kong wins overall.
Zac Purton seals a three-timer (Pic – HKJC)
“It’s really nice to win another one, this is my eighth. I’ve had another good season apart from having a stack (accident in February) halfway through with a few highlights with some big horses,” Purton said, referring to champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising.
“All in all, I’m very happy again.”
Purton has 126 wins for the season with Bowman next on 67, Andrea Atzeni (55) and Brenton Avdulla (45).
Purton combined with Tony Cruz’s Gentlemen Legacy to claim a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with success in the Class 3 Nam Chung River Handicap (2000m) before three-year-old Copartner Fleet (129lb) saluted for Francis Lui in the first section of the Class 4 Beas River Handicap.
Purton then triumphed on David Eustace’s Fashion Legend (124lb) in the Class 4 Sha Tau Kok River Handicap (1650m, dirt). Eustace posted the 35th winner of an impressive Hong Kong debut season when Riding Together forged to victory in the Class 4 Shan Pui River Handicap (1400m) under Andrea Atzeni.
Purton shared riding honours with apprentice Ellis Wong, who slotted his first Hong Kong three-timer with success on David Hayes-trained Ariel in the Class 3 Shek Sheung River Handicap (1650m, dirt), Douglas Whyte’s King Oberon in the Class 5 Lam Tsuen River Handicap and S J Tourbillon in the Class 4 Ng Tung River Handicap for Dennis Yip.
A delighted Ellis Wong (Pic – HKJC)
Wong, who cites Purton, Hugh Bowman and Vincent Ho as the jockeys he aspires to emulate, had ridden a four-timer at Gawler in South Australia in 2023 but was elated to have exceeded his previous best haul in Hong Kong.
“This is my first time to have three winners in Hong Kong, so I’m very happy,” Wong said. “These past few months I have had more support and I really appreciate that. I still have a lot to learn but when the opportunities are coming, I have been lucky to take advantage.
“I’m trying to learn a lot from Zac, from Hugh who is very patient and I love Vincent.”
Wong has thrived with 11 wins across the past seven meetings.
Alexis Badel celebrated a triumphant reunion with Beauty Waves as the gifted sprinter landed the HK$3.72 million Class 1 Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m).
Alexis Badel guides Beauty Waves home (Pic – HKJC)
Having his first start for Tony Cruz after previously being prepared by Pierre Ng, the chestnut was too slick for Wunderbar and Magic Control over the straight course to slot his fifth win from 21 starts in 55.67s.
“It’s good to be back on him, I’m grateful that Tony gave me the ride and he’s a talented horse and it was just a nice win,” Badel said. “I’ve had good support recently from Mr Cruz and it’s just nice to deliver and I hope it continues.
“I’m doing the best I can to give my horses every chance and today it was good to win in such a good race.”
Cruz said: “I was expecting him to run a big race. I wasn’t really confident about the horse winning the race, but he showed today he’s got some ability and I believe I can get better results. I believe he can win more races.
“I’m so happy this horse came over (to my stable). I liked this horse from the very beginning. I’ve been watching him in the past. He’s always a real speedy horse, like he showed today and he won in good time and I believe he’s a 1000m horse.”
Hayes-trained veteran Gallant Crown bowed out in perfect style with victory in the Class 5 Kam Tin River Handicap under Avdulla.
“He’s retired now,” Hayes said. “Not many horses get to do that, win their last start. He’s done a good job.”
Making his 67th start, Gallant Crown notched his eighth win and took his earnings to HK$7.9 million before the promising Lucky My Way made it two wins in a row for Derek Leung in the second section of the Class 4 Beas River Handicap and gave Manfred Man his 40th win of the season.
Michael Chang crowned a productive week when Rising From Ashes (120lb) sprinted sharply to clinch the Class 3 Tan Shan River Handicap (1400m) under Antoine Hamelin. Chang scored a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday (25 June) with Amazing Victory and Woodfire Champ.
- Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Tuesday 1 July with the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday.
