Zac Purton moved within touching distance of another historic milestone at Sha Tin on Saturday, guiding home two winners to edge closer to 2,000 career victories in Hong Kong while Jerry Chau strengthened his position in the race for the Tony Cruz Award.
The packed Sha Tin programme also delivered a series of surprise results, with several outsiders producing memorable performances across the afternoon.
Purton, already the dominant figure in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, lifted his local tally to 1,990 wins with two polished rides that once again underlined his composure and racecraft. The Australian first struck aboard Invictus Dragon in the Class 4 Castle Peak Handicap over 1400 metres for trainer Francis Lui, threading his way through traffic close to the rail before producing the gelding at the right moment.
“He deserved to win,” Purton said after the race. “He’s been knocking on the door and with his racing style, it’s always hard – but hopefully he can take some confidence out of it.”
The 43-year-old later completed his double aboard Smart Avenue in the Class 3 Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Handicap over 1600 metres for trainer Dennis Yip.
While Purton closed in on a landmark few riders in Hong Kong history have approached, local jockey Jerry Chau enjoyed a rewarding afternoon of his own. Chau partnered Jolly Jumper to victory in the Class 5 Pok Fu Lam Public Riding School Handicap before adding the Class 3 Lei Yue Mun Park Handicap on Effortless Win for trainer Frankie Lor.
The latter success carried added significance as the three-year-old secured a PP Bonus worth HK$1.5 million.
“I had only four rides today but they have ability and the track today is good for our horses,” Chau said. “So, I’m very happy to get the job done.”
The brace pushed Chau to 37 wins for the season, eight ahead of Vincent Ho in the standings for the leading homegrown rider award.
Elsewhere on the card, Hugh Bowman teamed up with trainer Manfred Man as Patch Of Stars captured the Class 2 Sai Wan Shan Handicap over 1200 metres. The performance halted the unbeaten sequence of Hot Delight, who weakened late after racing prominently.
“It was a good win,” Bowman said. “He appreciated the softer track and really let down much better today.”
Manfred Man, Dennis Yip and trainer Cody Mo each recorded doubles across the meeting. Francis Lui also continued his productive campaign, advancing to 46 winners for the season as the trainers’ championship battle remained tightly packed.
Yip’s earlier success came through Northern Fire Ball, who made all the running under apprentice Nichola Yuen in the Class 4 Tuen Mun Public Riding School Handicap.
Cody Mo’s stable enjoyed a memorable sequence when Oneshot scored at long odds under Karis Teetan shortly after Jolly Jumper’s victory.
Mo credited equipment adjustments for the turnaround in fortunes.
“He had a bad habit before of hanging in,” Mo explained of Jolly Jumper. “The one-sided blinkers solved that problem and the visors helped him concentrate more.”
The trainer said similar gear changes assisted Oneshot after a series of luckless efforts.
Another notable performance came in the Butterfly Bay Plate for Griffins, where Spice Bag surged late under James Orman to win for trainer David Hall.
By Acclamation, the sire of champion Romantic Warrior, Spice Bag produced a strong late burst despite the shorter trip appearing unsuitable on paper.
“It was probably a surprise that he won,” Hall admitted. “We thought this would be more of an educational run before stepping up in distance, but it showed he has ability.”
Long-priced winners remained a theme throughout the meeting. Real Gentleman prevailed for Manfred Man and Derek Leung at massive odds in the Class 4 Hong Kong Riding For The Disabled Association Cup Handicap, while Straight To Glory charged through late to land the Class 3 Pok Fu Lam Country Park Handicap for trainer Michael Chang.
Hong Kong racing shifts to Happy Valley on Wednesday evening, where Purton will resume his pursuit of the 2,000-win milestone.
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