Latest news with #Purton
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Nine-week Thames Water leak is still not fixed - despite it losing '900 litres per hour'
A water leak at a man's garden has not been fixed for nine weeks, despite pumping out '900 litres an hour', the resident has claimed. Lawrence Walker, 69, said the leak in his garden comes from the neighbouring property and has wasted thousands of litres of water since it started. Mr Walker claims that Thames Water sent out an employee to check the leak and they found that it was gushing out '900 litres of water per hour'. This means that since the leak began, it can be estimated around 13,600 litres of water have already been wasted. Mr Walker, of Purton, Wiltshire, said: 'The issue is we own our property, which is where the water is coming down to, but the issue originates in our neighbour's property, which is owned by Green Square. 'Because of this, Thames Water are unable to do anything as they need permission from the neighbours and Green Square. 'It has been nine weeks since this started, and I just want it to get sorted. I will even pay for it!' He went on: 'The neighbours are completely fine with work being done, but Green Square and Thames Water just aren't doing anything. 'The worker who came out said that they cannot just turn the water off as it is on a three-house supply, and it is illegal to just cut off water to someone's property. 'Thames Water said they will contact Green Square, but we have not heard anything since.' Water from the patio doors trickles all the way down to the far end of the garden. To manage the flow, bricks have been removed to direct the water onto the lawn, which is now turning muddy and difficult to walk across. Mr Walker mentioned that although he's eager to have the leak repaired, he's currently making use of the excess water to keep his plant pots well watered. Since retiring, Lawrence and his wife have carefully cultivated their garden into a relaxing summer haven, featuring a wooden pergola, vibrant flowerbeds, two bird-filled aviaries, and a bespoke bar area. A spokesperson from GreenSquareAccord said: 'We are aware of a water leak affecting one of our customers and their neighbour at Reids Place, Purton. 'On Friday 25 April, we arranged for a contractor to visit our customer's home and investigate the source of the leak, which it was determined had originated outside of our customer's home. 'We are working with our customer to arrange a convenient appointment to investigate this further and we're committed to working with Thames Water to resolve this.' Thames Water has just finished dealing with another major leak in the Swindon area, which lasted for four days, causing many homes and businesses to be without water. Thames Water was approached by MailOnline for comment.
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Zac Purton ‘excited' about potential world series, but HKJC not keen to play host
Zac Purton hopes the potential formation of a global competition for elite jockeys will bring the sport in front of a new audience and drive the industry forward, however the Hong Kong Jockey Club has confirmed it does not intend to host a leg of the proposed 'world series'. The most successful jockey Hong Kong has seen, Purton is in line to be one of the stars of the global competition, which could also feature the likes of James McDonald, Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Yutaka Take. Hong Kong-based Vincent Ho Chak-yiu is also on the list alongside Irad Ortiz Jnr, Joao Moreira, William Buick, Christophe Lemaire, Mickael Barzalona and Flavien Prat. Devised by former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and ex-Entain Australia deputy chief Lachlan Fitt, the series could have events in the United States, the Middle East, Asia and the United Kingdom, but it's unlikely to be seen in Hong Kong. 'The club is aware of the proposal. It is not our intention to participate as a host of a race meeting,' the Jockey Club said in a statement. It's been touted the series will have a prize pool of US$15 million and jockeys will operate their own franchises as team principals. Whether Purton gets the all-clear to take part as a jockey remains to be seen, but he is excited by the concept nonetheless. 'To be honest, it's probably hit the press a bit sooner than we'd have liked,' said Purton. 'Everything is still in its infancy but it's very exciting – it's a strong list of jockeys from all corners of the world. 'We're going to need the support of the jockey clubs and we'll need to find some sponsors. Ultimately, we're hoping we can help grow and drive the industry while bringing in a new audience. 'For me personally, it's going to be up to the Hong Kong Jockey Club as to whether I can ride in it or not. At the end of the day, I'm contracted to them and whatever decision they come to I'll accept. 'If I can't ride in it, I can still be team principal in it and that puts me in a position where I can choose another jockey to compete. 'I think racing has done a pretty poor job in many respects about promoting the sport and getting a new, younger audience into it. 'I think it will be exciting to be able to be like Formula One and LIV Golf, and take teams around the globe to new locations and build the brand. 'There's still a lot of water to flow under the bridge and some things to iron out, but we're all passionate about it and excited to try and drive it forward and make it happen. I think it's good for the sport but time will tell.' Racing has hit the mainstream again in recent weeks with the new Netflix show Race For The Crown, which is centred around some of the participants of last year's US Triple Crown, proving very popular. Irad Ortiz Jnr, who is touted for the new jockey series, features in the Netflix documentary and Purton thinks something similar could work in Hong Kong. 'I've always thought Hong Kong would be a great place to do a series because we have a set amount of jockeys, trainers, horses and tracks – plus we all live next to the track,' said Purton. 'It would be so easy to get a lot of content, but it hasn't happened until now with this new racing series on Netflix. We'd be able to take some cameras around with us and create a series for TV as we went. 'I know all the jockeys from Asia, Australia and the UK, but I'm not familiar with US racing at all really so it'll be good to meet and get to know Irad. 'It would be good to see all the personalities over there and they've just had the Netflix series come out and I found that really interesting.'
South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Bundle Award scrambles home for Group Three glory despite leaving Zac Purton ‘sore'
Aussie jockey has to overcome a bang to the foot leaving the stalls on his way to victory in the HK$4.2 million feature Zac Purton overcame some early adversity to scramble heavy favourite Bundle Award home in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The $1.85 favourite gave his backers some early nervous moments when exiting the stalls sideways and forcing Purton's foot against the stalls, with the Aussie adjusting his stirrup soon after. Bundle Award sat last throughout the journey, stalking Noisy Boy as two of the three Tony Cruz-trained runners, Winning Dragon and La City Blanche, setting a very moderate pace in front. There was further frustration for Purton as he was forced wide into the straight, but Bundle Award – running over the trip for the first time – was always going to be dangerous off a slow pace and pounced late to deny a spirited Noisy Boy in the final strides. Stayer on the rise? 👀 Bundle Award outstays rivals to win the six-runner G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup over 2400m for @zpurton and John Size at Sha Tin! 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 'He came out sideways and banged the gate and it's my sore foot, too, so it's in a bit of pain,' said Purton in reference to the broken left big toe he suffered in a fall in February. 'They went really slow, which was always going to play into my hands because he's got the best turn of foot of any horse in the race. 'It became a sprint home. He had it won a fair way out but he just didn't know how to put them away. He's learning but he did a good job.' It was a third Queen Mother Memorial Cup victory for Purton, while trainer John Size was winning it for the first time since his breakthrough success with Dr Well in 2006. Seventh in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in March, Bundle Award could now be set for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) later this month. 'It was hard to predict how they'd run the race. It was probably always going to be a slow-run affair, but a long way from home it looked like he might be able to win the race,' said Size. 'It was just a matter of whether he was in the frame of mind to go on with it. Physically he's fine, I think he's just got to learn a little bit more about racing and a little bit more about how to win a race. 'He actually did that as soon as he walked into the stable – he looked like he was going to settle in pretty quickly and he won his first race pretty quickly after he was here. 'He's been really good for us and he's performed admirably today. It was a big job for him to do that – to go to another distance and still win. 'We'll see how he is,' added Size when asked about a potential run in the Champions & Chater Cup on May 25. 'He's not rated up to that at the moment, but let's have a look and see what's available for him.' The win capped off a good day for Size and Purton, who also won with the talented but quirky Crossborderpegasus in the Class Three Gascoigne Handicap (1,200m). Crossborderpegasus always travelled ominously well in mid-pack under Purton, but he hung badly right under pressure and forced Purton to win the race with both hands on his left rein. 'He's just a really difficult horse to ride,' Purton said of the Rich Enuff gelding. 'He's got bad habits and it's very hard to keep him straight and it might be better for him at 1,400m.' And trainer Size had some sympathy for Purton, who likely added some arm pain to the later bang to the foot in the feature. 'I haven't seen the head on, but I'm sure it was a bit uncomfortable for him,' said Size. 'Anyway, [Crossborderpegasus is] making progress and he's winning races, so we'll see how we go with him.'
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Zac Purton uncertain how Bundle Award will handle distance test in Queen Mother Memorial Cup
Zac Purton will put his faith in master trainer John Size and Bundle Award's quality when the champion jockey chases a third success in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Handicap (2,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. An impressive winner of three Australian races pre-import and two in Hong Kong, Bundle Award rises to 2,400m for the first time on the back of a solid seventh in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) and a last-start fourth over 1,800m. Purton, who has won the Queen Mother Memorial on Exultant (2018) and Dominant (2013), is uncertain how the son of Shamus Award will handle the distance test. 'It's an interesting one,' said the star Australian rider. Bundle Award punches his 2025 @BMW Hong Kong Derby ticket! 🔥@BenThompson2102 gets John Size's galloper home from the back of the field for a first Class 2 win at Sha Tin... #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025 'He didn't appear to finish it off too strong in the Derby, but it was always going to be hard from where he was to get into the race. They went so slow and sprinted home, so sometimes that's hard to get a proper handle on a performance. 'He still ran home in quick time but every horse ran home in quick time. I think the question mark is there at the distance but it's a small field, he relaxes and he'll give himself a chance. We've just got to find out if he can run it.' After finishing two lengths behind shock winner Cap Ferrat in the Derby, Bundle Award was ridden by Purton for the first time when running on from near last to finish fourth behind Californiatotality in the Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup (1,800m). 'It was good. He got the start wrong, the race wasn't run to suit and he kept finding the line,' Purton said. 'He sprinted quick from the 400m to the 200m and then seemed to flatten out the last bit, so maybe he does want further. We'll find out on Sunday.' Bundle Award can deliver Size his first victory in the HK$4.2 million feature since his breakthrough success with Dr Well in 2006. He jumps from barrier two in the field of six. Tony Cruz boasts half of the field in his bid for a sixth victory in the race, with last year's winner La City Blanche, Five G Patch and Winning Dragon his representatives. Mark Newnham's Bravehearts, a Group One winner over 2,400m in Argentina pre-import, and Derby runner Noisy Boy round out the field. Armed with a strong book of 10 rides on the 11-race card, Purton will also pilot Size's exciting galloper Crossborderpegasus for the first time in the Class Three Gascoigne Handicap (1,200m). The three-year-old won his first two starts before a close second to Aeris Nova when wide throughout last start. 'I did a lot of work on him before he raced, but I was obviously out injured so Hugh [Bowman] was able to get on him and he's done a really good job,' Purton said. 'He's got that tendency to hang in and he's drawn out wide [in barrier 10]. It's not going to be an easy task for him, but he's a quality horse that looks as if he's still on the way up. Hopefully we can get in the right spot and give him his chance.' Impressive win, Mickley! 👌 John Size scoops a four-timer at Sha Tin as the #4YOSeries prospect gets off the mark in Hong Kong under @HugeBowman... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 15, 2024 Mickley in the Class Two Hillwood Handicap (1,600m) is another of Purton's rides for Size, with the former British galloper stepping out for the first time since his eighth in the Derby. 'He showed a lot early then seemed to lose his way a little bit,' Purton said of Mickley, who won brilliantly over 1,600m at his second start in the city last December. 'He's had a bit of time between runs. I think it's just a matter of finding out what works for him again.' The All Out, Super Eagle, Better And Better, Shamus Storm, Amazing Run, Packing Turbine and The Boom Box are Purton's other rides on Sunday.
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
David Hayes sounds ominous warning to Ka Ying Rising's rivals ahead of Chairman's Sprint Prize
In an ominous warning to Ka Ying Rising's rivals, David Hayes has declared the superstar sprinter is 'four or five lengths better' than in December ahead of Sunday's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. During his extraordinary rise to become the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising was at his most vulnerable in December's Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) when clinging on to a narrow triumph over Helios Express and Japan's Satono Reve. While Zac Purton argued the win was better than it looked after Ka Ying Rising jumped slowly and worked hard early from gate 11, it was the closest the son of Shamexpress has come to being beaten since the first of his 11 consecutive victories. Since that maiden elite-level success, Ka Ying Rising has returned to his explosive winning ways with dominant displays in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m), Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m). PERFECT tune-up for Ka Ying Rising! 🚀 David Hayes' sprinting superstar dazzles at Sha Tin this morning ahead of the Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton 📍 Sha Tin, 27 Apr | #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 17, 2025 'I think we're probably four or five lengths better than he was won he won the [Hong Kong Sprint] and I think his form proves that,' Hayes said. 'I was very bullish in December, but the whole team feels he's a better horse now than he was. It must be remembered that he is only four years old and I think he is going into his golden year next year.' Hayes and Purton identified Satono Reve as the main threat in Sunday's HK$22 million feature, with the Noriyuki Hori-trained sprinter fresh from his first Group One win in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo last start. Satono Reve was only three-quarters of a length behind Ka Ying Rising in December when storming home late under Joao Moreira, who again takes the ride on Sunday. 'The Japanese horse was incredibly impressive in Japan and I think he's the obvious danger. I've got a lot of respect for him. I might be a bit biased, but I think we've got him covered,' Hayes said. Hayes and Purton were delighted when Ka Ying Rising drew barrier four – his best draw since February last year. 'I don't want a slowly run race to the first corner where a heap of horses are all in a bunch and I want to try to split the field up a little bit,' Purton said. 'I'll be using his speed early and make the other horses work a little bit if they want to try and cross him.' Purton will be bidding for his third Chairman's Sprint Prize triumph after booting home Lucky Sweynesse in 2023 and Ivictory in 2018. 'He's in good order and is ready to go,' Purton said of Ka Ying Rising. 'He's a pleasure to do anything with and if you could order a horse, you would order him. He's got the best attitude, he goes home and he eats and he recovers and he does everything you want. 'He cruises so comfortably on that fast speed and then he can accelerate and put them away off the back of it. And then he just gaps his rivals when he is placed in that scenario.' Danon McKinley, Lugal and A Shin Fencer join Satono Reve in Japan's three-pronged attack on Ka Ying Rising, while Helios Express is expected to figure in the finish again after five seconds and a third behind the superstar from six runs this term.
