Purton Strikes Twice at Sha Tin on Sunday, September 13, as the Australian rider completed another double at Sha Tin Racecourse to strengthen his early challenge for a 10th Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. Derek Leung and Ellis Wong also recorded doubles on the card, making it a productive afternoon for three of the territory’s leading riders.
Purton’s two victories came aboard Ruby Thrive and Nyx Gluck. He first partnered Manfred Man-trained Ruby Thrive to success in the Class 4 Hing Wah Handicap over 1000 metres before completing the double on Danny Shum’s Nyx Gluck in the Class 3 Yiu Tung Handicap over 1400 metres.
The result marked Purton’s third double from the first three meetings of the 2026/27 season. The 43-year-old rider moved to six wins in the championship standings, two clear of Vincent Ho on four, while Leung followed with three victories.
Purton Strikes Twice at Sha Tin to Maintain Early Championship Momentum
Purton’s second victory aboard Nyx Gluck required a determined ride. Carrying 121lb and starting from barrier one, the gelding had the benefit of a favourable draw and light weight, but a strong pace forced him beyond his usual comfort zone.
Purton maintained his position through the contest and kept Nyx Gluck balanced before asking for his finishing effort. The gelding responded well in the closing stages to secure the second leg of Purton’s double and provide Shum with another important success early in the season.
Purton entered the campaign seeking a sixth consecutive jockeys’ championship, which would also take his overall Hong Kong title tally to 10. His consistent start has already given him a clear advantage at the top of the standings.
Leung matched Purton’s achievement by completing a double of his own. He partnered Cody Mo-trained Draco to victory in the second section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap over 1400 metres before guiding David Hayes-trained Absolute Awakened to success in the Class 4 Mei Tung Handicap over the same distance.
The 1400-metre events produced a notable record during the afternoon. Rattan Galaxy, ridden by Luke Ferraris for Manfred Man, lowered the existing class mark when winning the first section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap in 1:21.26. The record stood for only around an hour before Draco lowered it further to 1:21.01.
Wong also enjoyed an afternoon to remember, completing his double aboard Alpha Strike and Luck Is Back.
Alpha Strike returned from a break to win the Class 3 Wah Fu Handicap over 1000 metres for trainer Caspar Fownes. The horse jumped well but shifted inward during the race, requiring Wong to work hard to keep him on a straight course. Despite the difficulty, Alpha Strike maintained his effort strongly enough to secure victory.
The success was another positive result for Wong, whose hard work was praised by Fownes. The trainer expressed his satisfaction with the apprentice’s progress and hoped the victory would provide further confidence.
Wong later completed his double aboard Luck Is Back in the Class 4 Tung Wah Group Of Hospitals Challenge Cup Handicap over 1600 metres for Pierre Ng. The former Brazilian Group 1 winner led throughout to secure his first Hong Kong victory at his 22nd start.
Elsewhere on the card, Kempes produced another strong performance to claim the first section of the Class 4 Lok Wah Handicap over 1200 metres. James Orman guided the former South American Group 1 winner to his second Hong Kong victory for trainer David Hall.
Kempes travelled strongly along the inside and finished the race with authority. Hall indicated that the horse had been difficult to handle since arriving in Hong Kong but had shown improvement as his preparation progressed. He believed Kempes had the ability to compete at a higher level and hoped the gelding could eventually return to Class 3.
Manfred Man also completed a training double through Rattan Galaxy and Ruby Thrive, while Danny Shum added another victory to his successful afternoon when Hong Kong International Sale graduate Happy Shooter won the second section of the Class 4 Lok Wah Handicap over 1200 metres under Lyle Hewitson.
Happy Shooter recorded his second Hong Kong victory for Shum and continued the trainer’s strong start to the season. Shum’s double lifted his tally to four wins, putting him one ahead of Mo, Hayes, Fownes and Ng in the trainers’ standings.
Apprentice Nichola Yuen also produced a notable ride when Me Tsui-trained Lucy In The Sky led from the outset to win the Class 3 Oi Tung Handicap over 1200 metres.
The next Hong Kong meeting was scheduled for Happy Valley on Wednesday, September 16, with the early championship battle already beginning to take shape after three meetings.
Purton Strikes Twice at Sha Tin as the leading rider completed his third double from three meetings and moved to six wins in the 2026/27 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship standings. Derek Leung and Ellis Wong also recorded doubles, while Danny Shum strengthened his position among the leading trainers.
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