It goes without saying that everyone in the racing world will be fixated on the TV tonight, all on “Purton Watch”, to see if tonight will be the night that the champion hoop, Zac Purton, will make history.
When Zac and Nicole Purton made their way over to Hong Kong ahead of the 2007/08 season, full of talent, confidence, and ambition, the pair both admitted they hadn’t yet had a grasp on just how tough it is there. At the time, the GOAT of the Hong Kong racing scene, Douglas Whyte was reigning supreme, and with the similar nature of competitiveness between the pair, they began their tale as rivals.
It’s well documented that in their time riding together, the two hoops’ competitive nature and insatiable desire to be the champion left them butting heads both on and off the track, but as with many racing tales, the rivalry ended with a picture etched in time—Zac Purton kneeling down to ‘polish’ the shoes of Douglas Whyte on his final day in the saddle.
When Whyte announced his retirement from the saddle in 2019, he left behind an incredible legacy, including 13 consecutive Hong Kong titles, which he held since the beginning of the millennium, as well as an enormous 1813 career winners in Hong Kong—894 ahead of Purton. Now just a short 5 years later, Purton is knocking on the door to obliterate that record.
With just six winners to ride left to smash the record, every day and every ride counts for Purton.
Purton has 8 rides tonight at Happy Valley:
Race 1: #6 Kasa Papa – ran 3rd over the 1650m first up, then luckless last out after being held up near the 400m. Up in distance, drops a kilo in the weights, and Zac Purton takes the ride for the first time.
Race 2: #9 Me Time – Won at Happy Valley over 1800m two starts back, bumped a rival, and became unbalanced last time out. Looks perfectly placed, and I would love to see the Whyte/Purton combo win tonight!
Race 3: #2 Happy Daily – Won at Happy Valley in early November and came home well again at the Valley 4 weeks later for a 3rd despite jumping awkwardly. 4 weeks again between runs. Unfortunately drawn wide, but in Z. Purton we trust.
Race 4: #6 Bottomuptogether – The horse rates highly here. Placed at Sha Tin last start and has won 3/7 starts this preparation. Down in distance to the 1000m, Purton takes back the ride, and he should be ready to bounce back to his winning ways.
Race 5: #1 Happy United – has been out of form lately but drops back in distance to the 1000m, and blinkers go back on, drawn perfectly, and Zac is back aboard.
Race 7: #2 – Northern Fireball – Broke Maiden last start at Happy Valley, a lightly raced horse who looks well. Placed well here to extend the winning streak.
Race 8: #2 – Pray for Mir – Placed at Sha Tin last start, drops down in both distance and weight, Z. Purton looks to be the gear change for this one also. rates well.
Race 9: #1 – Aurora Lady – In form and looking to go for a hat-trick tonight. Loves Happy Valley, Zac retains the ride, and she should be up there on the speed.
