Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item
Posted 2019-12-07 18:54:18  
Purton chase record

His victory 12 months ago aboard Beauty Generation in the Hong Kong Mile drew him level at the head of the pack with Gerald Mosse on eight wins, and with a mount in each of the four feature contests, including associations with two champions, the Australian ace has the all-time record on his radar.

“I always know what the records are and what needs to be done, it drives me and motivates me,” Purton said.

“It gets me going, so it’s something extra for me to think about at the meeting. But, at the end of the day, I concentrate on riding winners and those kinds of things take care of themselves.”

Purton’s HKIR book is the envy of most: he will hold the reins on three of the four winners from last year, two of whom he rode: the hat-trick-seeking Beauty Generation in the Mile, and Exultant in the Hong Kong Vase. He has picked up the mount on Hong Kong Cup defending champ Glorious Forever, and is pushing himself to a featherweight to partner the most exciting young horse on the Sha Tin stable block, the John Moore-trained Aethero, in the Hong Kong Sprint.

“I’m bang on, right on target where I want to be with my weight and I’ve just got to maintain it now. I’ve only got a day to go, so I’ve just got to hold it together and I’ll be fine. Hopefully it’s worth it,” he said.

Purton, though, is under no illusions as to the task facing his precocious mount, who, as a Southern Hemisphere three-year-old, will benefit from a 4kg weight concession (assuming Purton puts up 0.5kg over as expected) from seasoned rivals.

“It’s a strong race. I think it’s the strongest Sprint I’ve seen in a while so he’s going to need to do everything right, and if he does, hopefully he’s good enough. He’s been very impressive in everything that he’s done, he’s untapped and I’m looking forward to testing him against the big horses this weekend.”

The biggest Hong Kong horse of recent times, of course, is the Moore-trained Beauty Generation but the world’s top-rated miler and two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year will need to put behind him two recent defeats if he is to become only the second horse after Good Ba Ba to win the Mile three times.

“We’re all hopeful that John’s been able to work his magic and the spark’s going to be there,” Hong Kong’s champion jockey said.

“John knows what it takes to train these top-line horses for these races on the big days and I’ve got the utmost confidence in him to be able to produce the horse right on this big day. Sure, we’ve been a bit disappointed with his last couple of runs, as everyone has, but he hasn’t been getting beat far and if we can just find that spark again, that’s all it’s going to take.”

Exultant certainly sparked last time out – an impressive win in the G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) that emphasised his standing as the circuit’s best middle-distance/staying galloper. With the Vase the first big one on the card, he could nail the record early on for his rider but will have to overcome gate 14 to do so.

“It’s a shame we drew where we did with him. It makes it a little bit tricky being out that wide. I haven’t had a good look at the race yet but we’ll work that out,” Purton said.

“I know he’s going to give me his best, he always does, and he’s going to fly the flag for Hong Kong, and hopefully do us proud again.”

Silvestre de Sousa drove Glorious Forever to Cup glory in 2018 but Purton has picked up the ride this time on the in-and-out gelding. Frankie Lor’s charge has not won since and heads in off two uninspiring runs this term, but Purton is not ruling out a return to form for the vanguard racer who could vie for the early lead with his full brother Time Warp.

“Glorious Forever was disappointing last time but he’s that kind of horse, he looks good one day and not so good the next day, it’s just a matter of the circumstances in the race. I think the small field will help him, the barrier draw is nice, he’s going to get a nice run, he gets his chance if he’s good enough. He’s going to be in the right spot,” Purton said.

Hong Kong Jockey Club 

Rate:
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
  • Hong Kong
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    bowman now on lucky sweynesse 1 days ago

    Hugh Bowman has secured the ride on Lucky Sweynesse for the upcoming Group Two Sprint Cup, making hi...

    View | Add Comment
    massive sovereign wins a smart hong kong derby 4 days ago

    Massive Sovereign, formerly known as Broadhurst when trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, stol...

    View | Add Comment
    big guns drawn wide for hk derby 7 days ago

    Helios Express’ bid to match the towering feats of Rapper Dragon and Golden Sixty with a clean...

    View | Add Comment
    treble for teetan as young champion impresses2024-03-16

    Young Champion lived up to high expectations, leaving Karis Teetan impressed as he clinched victory ...

    View | Add Comment
    hong kong derby field announced, galaxy patch looks teg real deal 2024-03-14

    Galaxy Patch caught the eye in the Gr1 The Queens Silve Jubilee Cup when he came from the back of th...

    View | Add Comment
    avdulla brilliance gives california spangle another gr1 2024-03-10

    California Spangle, backed from 20/1 to 13/1, surged to victory in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Gr1 in...

    View | Add Comment
    purton says drop in distance will help2024-03-08

    Zac Purton is optimistic a drop in distance can prove decisive in Beauty Eternal’s quest to to...

    View | Add Comment
    romantic warrior pips voyage gold cupbubble in great renewal of 2024-02-25

    Enhancing status as one of the world’s premier middle-distance gallopers with gripping victory...

    View | Add Comment
    south african whyte calls star horse a dream come true 2024-02-16

    Douglas Whyte is proud as punch to train Russian Emperor and the fifth-season handler isn’t ta...

    View | Add Comment
    century up for hewitson in hong kong 2024-02-12

    Lyle Hewitson celebrated his remarkable 100th victory during the electrifying Chinese New Year gathe...

    View | Add Comment