Zac Purton all but rules out Hong Kong Derby return as he eyes Ka Ying Rising reunion
Zac Purton is likely to be sidelined for longer than first hoped. Photos: Kenneth Chan
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).
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