Zac Purton has seen champions come and go, but something about Cap Ferrat still stirs the champion jockey’s belief. As he prepares to partner the Francis Lui-trained gelding for the first time in Sunday’s Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (G3, 1800m) at Sha Tin, Purton senses the horse’s story isn’t finished — not by a long shot.
“I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of Cap Ferrat yet,” Purton said, his tone carrying the quiet conviction of someone who’s seen late bloomers before. “He’s a horse that hasn’t really committed himself 100 per cent. If the penny drops one day, I think there’s a little bit more left.”
For a horse whose sole victory from 21 starts came in the 2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), the numbers tell only part of the tale. Cap Ferrat’s class has never been in doubt, but his consistency — or perhaps, his confidence — has remained elusive. Now, with the HK$4.2 million Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse serving as a crucial stepping stone toward next month’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), Sunday could be a turning point.
Testing draw, strong belief
Cap Ferrat will have to overcome barrier 13, something Purton admits is far from ideal for a horse who can get keen early.
“It’s not ideal, especially for a horse like him that can overrace,” Purton said. “If they see daylight too long, they can do too much. But we’ll work it out. I’m looking for a horse to ride in the Group 1 mile races, and hopefully, he’s going to be it.”
Purton’s mount is expected to face a field filled with familiar rivals, including another Derby hero searching for redemption.
Massive Sovereign’s comeback trail
Like Cap Ferrat, Massive Sovereign (124lb) knows what it means to taste Derby glory — and the struggle that sometimes follows it. Since his 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph, the David Eustace-trained gelding has battled setbacks and surgeries, restricting him to just seven runs in two years. Yet Eustace believes his charge is finally rounding back into form.
“We were delighted with him last time,” Eustace said of Massive Sovereign’s fourth-place finish in the Panasonic Cup Handicap (1600m) last month. “He’d had one run in twelve months, so he was always going to need it. He’s come on for it, I’m sure.”
Luke Ferraris takes over the reins from gate four, as connections eye a return to elite company at December’s HKIR.
Shanwah sparks debut intrigue
Away from the feature, Douglas Whyte will unveil a fascinating new recruit in the Class 2 Santa Monica Handicap (1400m) — Shanwah (115lb), a four-year-old by Too Darn Hot who arrived from Australia with a reputation as one of Victoria’s rising stars. Formerly trained by Ciaron Maher, Shanwah captured both the G2 Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m) and G2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) during a lucrative two-month spell that netted more than AU$753,000.
“He’s a lovely horse and he’s handled everything we’ve asked of him,” Whyte said. “It’s been a rushed preparation, but he’s fit and ready to go. I think he’ll improve a lot for the run.”
Shanwah’s debut could well mark the start of a Four-Year-Old Classic Series campaign — a path Whyte knows all too well.
Race day details
Sunday’s Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day at Sha Tin will feature ten races, kicking off at 1pm with the Class 5 L’Oreal Paris Handicap (1600m). With stars like Cap Ferrat, Massive Sovereign, and Shanwah all taking part, it promises to be an afternoon that shapes the road toward December’s international showpiece.
Read more Hong Kong racing stories at RaceBuzz Horse Racing News.
