Zac Purton all but rules out Hong Kong Derby return as he eyes Ka Ying Rising reunion
Zac Purton will not be chasing a BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) mount, with the jockey confirming it would require an eleventh hour call-up for him to ride in the city's most prestigious race after specialists recommended he give his broken toe longer to recover.
Sidelined since February 9 after injuring his left big toe in a three-horse fall at Sha Tin, Purton had initially hoped to be back for next weekend's Derby, however he has shifted his sights to a reunion with gun sprinter Ka Ying Rising in March 30's Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m).
'I ended up getting some more scans done, I got a second opinion and spoke to some other people in Australia as well,' said Purton.
'Unfortunately, the union between the bones just hasn't quite set enough at the moment.
'Although I feel like I could do it and I went and hopped on the equicizer and it doesn't really worry me – I feel like I can put up with the pain – I keep getting told that if I was to try and put it under too much pressure at the moment, there's a chance of it refracturing.
'If it was just up to me, I feel like I could get on a horse and ride and get on with things, but when I look at the scans and listen to what they're telling me, I understand.
'The last thing I want to do is refracture it and end up back where I was. For the sake of waiting one more week, I just have to suck it up.'
While hopping back aboard Ka Ying Rising is the seven-time champion jockey's priority, Purton didn't completely rule out jumping in the saddle for one ride on Derby Day – if the stars aligned.
'If I start riding work next week and something happens to another jockey leading into the Derby, I'd be more than happy to jump on it,' he said. 'I'll be on a horse by the end of next week so we'll just let that play out.'
Purton missed one ride on Ka Ying Rising while sidelined by his toe injury, watching on as Karis Teetan piloted the galloper many consider the world's best sprinter to victory in last month's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
12-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong defender targets historic win to break 40-year drought against China
Leon Jones has urged Hong Kong to finish their East Asian Championship campaign in historic style when they meet China on Tuesday. Hong Kong were rigid and determined in a 2-0 loss to hosts South Korea on Friday, three days after failing to do themselves justice in a heavy 6-1 defeat by Japan. Centre-back Jones credited a change of structure for 'making us more competitive' and said a first meaningful meeting with the Chinese since 2022 was 'a chance, against good opposition, to show what we can do'. Hong Kong beat China 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly on New Year's Day last year, but May 19 marked the 40th anniversary of the city team's only competitive success against their mainland rivals: a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win in Beijing. 'A lot of people feel strongly about the Hong Kong team, and China is a big derby game; a big rivalry,' Jones said. Former Scotland youth international Leon Jones strides forward during Hong Kong's 2-0 loss to South Korea. Photo: HKFA 'I know it means a lot to our travelling support, and to the fans back in Hong Kong.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Ka Ying Rising prevails in tight Hong Kong Horse of the Year battle
Ka Ying Rising has prevailed in the tightest Hong Kong Horse of the Year fight in years, with the David Hayes-trained superstar crowned at the Jockey Club's Champion Awards gala dinner at the Rosewood on Friday night. Ka Ying Rising's undefeated eight-win season, which included four Group One victories, was enough to see him get the nod over Voyage Bubble, who also won four Group Ones this term, and globetrotting giant Romantic Warrior. Ka Ying Rising also scooped the Champion Sprinter and Champion Four-Year-Old awards, while Romantic Warrior enjoyed Champion Middle-Distance Horse honours and Voyage Bubble was named Champion Miler and Champion Stayer. Mark Newnham's My Wish won Most Improved Horse, while the 2024-25 Champion Griffin will be announced at next week's season finale.
South China Morning Post
07-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Ka Ying Rising to return home after The Everest: ‘He's avoiding big-money temptation'
Ka Ying Rising will spend most of next season at home in Hong Kong. Photos: Kenneth Chan The world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising will return straight home to Hong Kong after his tilt in the Group One The Everest (1,200m) with his owner keen to show his commitment to Hong Kong racing. On a winning run of 12 races which includes four Group Ones, the David Hayes-trained superstar was imperious last season - rising up to a rating of 132 from 111. He dismantled his sprinting rivals by going faultless in the Hong Kong Speed Series, winning the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) and Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) before crowning his season with a devastating win in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m). His success in the Chairman's Sprint Prize was boosted by the second Satono Reve finishing runner-up in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) at Royal Ascot and Ka Ying Rising himself is getting ready to go international with a trip to Australia. HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚀 Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 He will line up in the Hong Kong Jockey Club's slot for the A$20 million (HK$102 million) Group One The Everest (1,200m) on October 18, but his connections have resisted the temptation to go for further riches abroad. Hayes had considered running Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Champions Sprint (1,200m) at Flemington or the Russell Balding Stakes (1,300m) at Rosehill - with Rosehill race boasting a A$1 million bonus to the Everest winner - but connections have decided to prioritize the sprinters Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) preparation. 'It's been decided that we'll give Ka Ying Rising one run in The Everest, and then the owner is keen to concentrate on Hong Kong,' said Hayes. 'He's avoiding the temptation of the big money in Australia. He's decided win, lose or draw, to come back after the race. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'It's nice to have it locked in so we can plan. The owners really committed to Hong Kong racing and the Hong Kong Jockey Club have been so helpful with the slot that he wants to do the right thing by the club.' What a return!? 😳 Star sprinter Ka Ying Rising defies top-weight to land the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup with @zpurton for David Hayes at Sha Tin... 🚀#SeasonOpener | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 8, 2024 Ka Ying Rising began his perfect campaign last year by winning off a huge weight of 135lb in the Class One Chief Executive's Cup (1,200m) before going on to collect seven Group races. The same starting point is set to be employed by Hayes before he sets sail for Australia, provided he trials well beforehand. 'I'm pretty confident he'll be running on opening day - if he trials well the week before he'll run in the Chief Executive's Cup,' said Hayes. The 62-year-old sits a clear second in the trainers premiership, seven winners behind leader John Size after a double at Sha Tin on Saturday evening. Trainer David Hayes. Hayes is looking to finish the campaign with a flourish but any hopes of pipping Size were likely extinguished by the luck of the draw, with a lot of his runners reserved out of Wednesday's Happy Valley fixture. That leaves him with just a trio of runners on the third-to-last meeting of the season, but Hayes has remained typically upbeat. 'I've got lots of reserves, I'll have a big hand on Sunday and a very big hand on the final day - it's just the way it fell with the races,' said Hayes. 'It'd be dreaming to think we could win, John has to have a wipe for the last three meetings - I'm very happy to run a clear second.'
