Avdulla picks up several rides from the injured Purton: ‘I'm busy there'
Magnifique and Spirit Of Peace among strong chances Australian rider gains from champion jockey
by Jay Rooney on Thursday, February 13, 2025 4:22 PM Jockey Brenton Avdulla has a strong book of nine rides on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Brenton Avdulla hopes to make the most of several golden opportunities at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the Australian picking up multiple strong rides from the injured Zac Purton.
With Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, Angus Chung Yik-lai and Keith Yeung Ming-lun out of action after last Sunday's falls at Sha Tin, Avdulla and a number of other rides have received increased opportunities for this weekend's 11-race card.
Avdulla hops aboard a pair of last-start winners for Purton – impressive debut victor Magnifique and Spirit Of Peace – as well as Classic Series prospect Bundle Award, Beauty Alliance, Magnificent Nine and debutant Laserblanca, who all shaped as likely rides for the seven-time champion jockey.
'I'm busy there,' Avdulla said of his Sunday book of nine rides.
'I've got a few young horses for John Size that Zac's been on. I don't know too much about them, but they look like they've got something.
'It's actually probably not my normal book – it's a book with a few of Zac's rides, so hopefully we can get a winner or two there.'
Magnifique tackles the first section of the Class Four Daisy Handicap (1,200m) after a strong victory on debut, scoring by a length down the straight last month.
However, Avdulla has been set a task on the David Hall-trained gelding from barrier 11 and under top weight of 135 pounds.
Spirit Of Peace, a last-start Happy Valley winner for Size, also has a wide draw in gate nine and top weight of 134 pounds to overcome in the second section of the Class Four Jasmine Handicap (1,400m).
Bundle Award is one of Avdulla's rides who has drawn ideally, with the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) entrant jumping from gate one in the Class Three Rose Handicap (1,600m).
Size's Australian import broke through at his third Hong Kong start with an impressive 1,400m triumph last month under James McDonald and he needs to win again on Sunday to boost his chances of making the Classic Cup (1,800m) field on March 2.
Beauty Alliance was an impressive Sha Tin winner in December and Magnificent Nine is still chasing his first Hong Kong success after six placings from 16 starts.
Laserblanca shapes as an intriguing first starter in the second section of the Daisy Handicap, with Size's three-year-old notching a victory and three placings from his four trials with Purton in the saddle.
Lo Rider, another Derby aspirant who was hampered by the three-horse fall last Sunday, is another pickup ride for Avdulla in the Class Three Marigold Handicap (1,800m).
Hugh Bowman has ridden the Irish import on his past two starts but will pilot Caspar Fownes-trained stablemate, Family Jewel, on Sunday.
Avdulla's other ride is The Golden Scenery in the feature of the day, the Class Two Heung Yee Kuk Cup (1,600m). — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 12, 2025
The 34-year-old, who has ridden 20 winners this season, is also excited to continue his association with Rubylot in the Classic Cup next month.
The David Hayes-trained gelding was forced back to near last from gate 10 in the Classic Mile and made late ground to run sixth to My Wish on January 31.
'I'm happy riding Rubylot. He ran well the other day and I think with a draw he would have gone close, so hopefully we can draw well over the 1,800m,' Avdulla said.
Avdulla guided Rubylot to victory on his previous two rides on the classy son of Rubick.
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