Zac Purton makes an ominous championship statement at Happy Valley with a Wednesday four-timer
A Zac Purton quartet at Happy Valley yesterday has breathed fresh life into the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship after the Australian made significant inroads into his championship rival Joao Moreira’s lead.
Chasing a fifth championship, Purton trailed Moreira by 21 wins on December 9, but has now reduced the deficit to 14.
Fuelling hopes of another gripping late-season title shoot-out with Moreira, Purton’s rich vein of form has seen the New South Welshman post a treble during the International Jockeys’ Championship meeting at Happy Valley followed by a double at Sha Tin at the Hong Kong International Races fixture.
He was typically phlegmatic about an understated opening to the season.
“I just had so many wide barriers,” Purton said of a frustrating start to the 2020-21 term.
“You can’t believe you just go months and months and months just being on the outside all the time.
“Every time I came to the races, I was on the outside. It was making it really hard.
“You ask your horses to take a position, it takes an effort and they’re empty in the end or you go back and give them too much of a start.
“It was the same script over and over.”
Purton attributed his searing form streak – nine winners in three meetings – to recovery from a torn hamstring.
“It’s taken a long time to come good,” he said. “It was frustrating.”
When asked about his bid to add another championship to his successes in 2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, Purton said: “That’s a long way off, I need some luck.”
Moreira endured an exasperating night with four minor placings from eight rides.
Making his intent plain from the outset, Purton made immediate inroads into Moreira’s buffer by riding three of the first four winners aboard Bundle Of Delight (Tavistock), Smart Cousin (Highly Recommended) and Noble Birth (Per Incanto).
Bundle Of Delight’s triumph in the Class 4 Shelley Handicap (1800m) reignited Purton’s momentum as the 2019-20 champion jockey continued his pursuit of Moreira on a chilly Wednesday night at the city circuit.
“Give me some good barriers and it makes all the difference. They’ve put me on the outside all season, it’s hard out there,” Purton said.
“He won well. It was a good effort. He was building towards a performance like that. Got to a suitable distance, good gate, good run.”
Bundle Of Delight delivered Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)-winning trainer David Hall’s 13th winner of the season.
Purton logged a double with a supremely patient ride – ironically from the widest gate (12) – aboard Smart Cousin in the Class 5 Staunton Handicap (1800m).
The former New Zealander, prepared by Dennis Yip, secured his first win in Hong Kong at his 12th attempt after unleashing a sweeping late sprint.
“We had a bad gate so we needed some luck,” Purton said. “Couldn’t get in early, a few horses were pressing forward, so I had cover.
“There was enough pressure in the race for me to be able to track up and he did the rest.”
Purton’s hot streak continued as the Jimmy Ting-trained Noble Birth prevailed in the Class 4 Graham Handicap (1200m), drawing praise from the jockey.
“It was a good effort,” Purton said. “He’s a progressive horse. He showed at his last start there was something there. He drew the right gate, had the right run, he did a good job.”
Purton took over on Noble Birth following the suspension of Neil Callan, who suggested to Ting that a hood should be applied to the son of Per Incanto.
“He (Purton) wanted to ride the horse, (but) unlucky for Neil,” Ting said.
Purton punctuated his dominance with victory on Flying Genius (All Too Hard) in the Class 3 Cochrane Handicap (1000m) for Tony Cruz, who had earlier successfully combined with Jerry Chau and Delightful Laos to land the Class 3 Gage Handicap (1650m).
Ting took training honours with a treble with Baby claiming the Class 3 Elgin Handicap (1200m) for Vagner Borges, condemning Moreira to the runners-up stall for the third time.
Hong Kong racing continues this Sunday, December 20 at Sha Tin.