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| Staff Writer |
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Zac Purton aims to further solidify his lead in the title race at Sha Tin on Sunday. This comes following the announcement by the Jockey Club that the six-time champion rider will be taking a break from the track in the upcoming year.
According to reports, jockey Purton, who recently clinched his 11th victory at the Hong Kong International Races aboard Lucky Sweynesse in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint, will not be able to participate in three early January meetings, as announced by the Jockey Club.
“Management has agreed to a request submitted by Zac Purton for leave of absence from Hong Kong between 2 and 12 January 2024, both dates inclusive,” Jockey Club licensing committee secretary Terry Bailey said.
“Accordingly, Purton will not be available to accept race-riding engagements for the race meetings scheduled on 4, 7 and 10 January 2024.”
With 39 victories under his belt, Purton is currently sitting at the championship summit, enjoying a 13-win lead over his closest competitor, Karis Teetan. This weekend, he has a promising set of nine rides lined up.
One of Purton's top contenders for a win this weekend is Invincible Sage, a young sprinter trained by David Hall, in the Class Two Lukfook Jewellery Cup. Purton is taking the reins from Invincible Sage's regular rider, Hugh Bowman, who is currently out of the action.
Invincible Sage is unbeaten this season and has shown impressive bursts of speed to overcome obstacles in both his races so far. Purton is confident that the young speedster is ready to take the leap into Class Two company.
“He’s a talented horse, and he’s up in grade but down in weight. It’s an interesting race, but if he continues to race the way he has been, then he’s going to give it a good go,” Purton said.
“I trialled him on the dirt, and he did what he had to do. I did ride him in one piece of work, and he’s quite an eager horse. He was a bit fresh and wanted to get on with it, but he seemed to move well, and it looks like he’s in good shape.”
Invincible Sage had won three times out of seven Australian appearances, but he couldn't manage to win any of his three local starts last season. However, he made a strong comeback with a victory in the Class Three Hong Kong China's Asian Games Medallists Cup, on October 22. Three weeks later, he defied his 135-pound weight in the Class Three Panasonic 4KTV Handicap, and impressed Hall, who was all praise for the Thronum's progeny.
“He gave away a bit of a start last time and was in a tricky spot for a while, but he got himself out of trouble, which good horses can do,” Hall said. “He’s two from two, and he’s ready. It’s a straight track 1,000m again, so let’s see what he’s made of.”
Hall achieved impressive consecutive wins and consequently granted Invincible Sage an early entry into the Hong Kong Sprint held last weekend. However, Hall thought that a cautious approach would be more appropriate for the relatively inexperienced galloper.
“He’s done what he’s had to do, and he’s ready to go back to the races,” Hall said. “It’s good that the programme has allowed that, and he’s got this Class Two over 1,000m to do it,” Hall said.
Purton and Hall have participated in 13 attempts this term but are yet to achieve a win as a team. However, things might take a turn for the better when they join forces with Ka Ying Victory in the upcoming Class Three Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap, held over a distance of 1,200m.
“He’s a young horse coming out of Griffin company,” Purton said. “It’s a big jump to go from those races into open-age Class Threes, but he’s been given time, and his trials have been decent. It’s time to go back to the races and see what he can do.”
With an unbeaten record to maintain, Hall recognizes the challenge that lies ahead for Ka Ying Victory in his upcoming race. This will be his first appearance since his impressive victory in July's Purves Quaich Plate.
“He’s a 3YO running in a Class Three and coming out of Griffin form, so it can be a bit questionable,” Hall said. “It looks a strong race, so it will be interesting to see what he can do.”