With 98 wins for the season, Zac Purton is hoping to match his annual tally at Sha Tin on Sunday as he looks to build momentum ahead of next week’s FWD Champions Day.
The eight-time champion Hong Kong jockey boasts a strong book of seven riders as he pursues the milestone of 100 wins for the 10th consecutive season and 11th overall in his glittering career.
“To get 100 hits in a season, you’ve had a great season so it would be nice to get there again,” Purton said.
“Then we’ve still got a few months of the season to go, so we’ll try and keep going. I’m getting there a little bit slower than I’d like, but that’s how things go sometimes. Some jockeys would like to get to 100 in their career let alone 100 in a season, to put things into perspective and if you look at the season it’s been really good.”
Purton, who is fast approaching another milestone with 1,976 wins in Hong Kong, reunites with Patch Of Cosmo in Sunday’s Class Two Promoting Disability Empowerment and Social Inclusion (1,800m).
The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained jockey is fresh off two strong runs in the Classic Series – a fast third to Stormy Grove in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and fourth to Invincible Ibis in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).
Purton was in for his comeback from a tendon injury, winning at 135 pounds to win his first over 1,600 meters in January.
“He’s done a great job. He was out for a long time and he came back to win first over a mile and at top weight,” Purton said.
“I thought all the races in the four-year streak were very solid. So, he’s had more races now. It’s hard to tell right now what his distance is, but we’ll find out in time. He’s reliable.”
In the tightest contest on the 11-event card, Patch Of Cosmo will take on the likes of Gentlemen Legacy, Stunning Peach, Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) winner Winning Wing, Joy Of Spring and Sky Heart.
Aerovolonic is one of two last-start winners Purton will fly in on Sunday, with the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained runner chasing a hat-trick in the Grade Three Handicapped Seniors Aid (1,400m).
He has won his last two matches by a combined four times, gaining promotion to Class Three in his latest appearance and comfortably contributing to the regular Super Express.
“He’s going the right way, no doubt. He’s full of confidence and he beat a really good horse last time, so there’s something to like about him,” Purton said.
“With any horse, it’s very difficult when they’re traveling as hard as he’s been traveling to still give everything he’s got. He’s got to learn to manage himself better if he wants to take the next step.
“Hopefully we can get another win out of him and put him under (Class) Two at lightweight. I think that will help him as well.”
Gold Patch is Purton’s other last start winner. The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained sprinter will be aiming for a third win in four starts in the Grade Three Empowering Professionals to Thrive in their Charging Handicap (1,200m).
All Mine, Absolute Honor, California Star and Blazing Wind are Purton’s other Sha Tin rides.
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