Latest news with #ZacPurton
New Paper
9 hours ago
- General
- New Paper
June 4 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (2,200m) 9 Mr Aladdin has been in good form recently and looks poised to break through for his first win. Wide draws have hindered him in his past three starts, but he moves into a slightly better gate in stall 9, and Zac Purton taking the ride suggests he will get every chance. 6 Super Hong Kong will relish shifting into a low draw after jumping from barriers 12 and 11 in his last two runs, where he was taken back and ran on strongly. The step back up to 2,200m brings him right into contention. 10 Golden Fairy resumes from barrier 1 and looks the likely leader. He will give a good sight and can prove tough to run down. 2 Go Go Go faded late into fifth first-up and should strip fitter for this. With two seconds from as many starts at the trip, he is in with a shout. Race 2 (1,800m) 1 Lean Hero returns to Class 4, where three of his four career wins have come from, and from barrier 1, he can enjoy all favours. Forget his last start from gate 14 at Sha Tin where he was never in the race, but his prior runs at Happy Valley were encouraging. 2 Sunday's Serenade was chasing a hat-trick last start but had too much work to do from barrier 12. He moves into a better draw this time and should settle closer in the run. While unproven at the distance, his form has been on the up since switching to Happy Valley. 9 Firefoot ran a solid fifth after leading over 1,800m at Sha Tin last start, and his chances improve now that he returns to Happy Valley. He does not need to lead, but he should be on the pace. 6 Mission Strike is lightly raced and continues to hint at a win. He will get back from barrier 11 but is one to watch charging late. Race 3 (1,200m) 10 Good Prospect began fairly last time and settled further back than intended and had excuses in the run. He gets a likeable jockey switch with Andrea Atzeni taking over, and barrier 3 ensures every chance if he jumps on terms. 3 Beauty Thunder has been improving since sliding down the ratings. He ran second two starts ago and had some traffic issues last time when finishing eighth. Expect better with Purton in the saddle. 11 Vulcanus maps to get a similar run to last start from barrier 1, where he finished a close second. He is in the mix again. 2 King Eccellente returns to Class 4 and, from a low draw, can be followed now that he is back in the right grade. Race 4 (1,650m) 1 Midori Fuji draws wide, but looks ready to win after back-to-back seconds. Despite the tricky gate, he still shapes as the one to side with. 6 Wrote A New Page makes his Happy Valley debut and brings solid Sha Tin form. His last-start fourth held merit given he raced wide without cover until mid-race over the Sha Tin mile. 7 Nebraskan steps up in trip for the first time, but barrier 1 ensures a kind run. He is still a maiden, but recent 1,200m efforts suggest he is getting close to breaking through. 2 Setanta is capable of bouncing back any time in this grade. This is his third run back in Class 4 and from a good draw at his preferred track, he is worth including. Race 5 (1,200m) 2 Bienvenue broke through with a dominant maiden victory last time. The 3YO looks capable of going back-to-back from barrier 2 where he maps to get every chance. 8 Loving Vibes fits a similar profile, having taken a few runs to break through but backed up his maiden win with a close third last time. He is hard to oppose given his consistency. 1 Denfield can improve on his recent moderate form now that he drops back into Class 4, with the apprentice claim also aiding his cause. 7 Tactical Command is on the quick seven-day turnaround from a solid fourth, beaten by just 1½ lengths, and is always worth some thought. Race 6 (1,200m) 4 Giant Leap looks to have turned a corner and now chases a hat-trick. He broke through for his first Class 3 win last start with a strong all-the-way effort and has since bolted in a trial. From barrier 1, he gets every chance. 5 Storm Rider has been in top form since switching to this course and distance four starts ago, reeling off three consecutive seconds. With barrier 2 and blinkers on for the first time, he can go close. 3 Beauty Infinity raced wide without cover last start when a close-up fourth and was a solid third to Chateauneuf two starts ago. He is generally around the mark, and is again worthy of consideration. 11 Storming Dragon will appreciate a solid tempo up front and can be charging home late, as seen when rattling into third behind Crimson Flash last time. Race 7 (1,800m) 7 Casa Rochester is finding his feet. After dropping in the ratings and breaking through on his third attempt in Class 4, he returned to Class 3 last start and posted a creditable fifth despite striking traffic late. He tries 1,800m for the first time, but the trip looks within reach. 9 Joy Of Spring deserves another chance after starting favourite last time but finding himself on the inferior part of the track. He should present better value this time and barrier 2 gives him every hope. 2 Cambridge surprised at long odds last start, winning on his first attempt at this course and distance. The 4YO is now further acclimatised and looks capable of building on that effort. 1 Flamingo Trillion has what it takes to sneak into the placings in this grade and at this trip. He maps well on the speed in a race lacking genuine tempo. Race 8 (1,650m) 2 Sky Trust returned to Happy Valley for his second try last start but again copped a wide gate, his third in a row. Ridden for luck from the back, he had too much work to do but still flashed into fourth, which was a strong effort. With a better draw and a more even run, he can bounce back. 3 Another World makes his first appearance at Happy Valley and is worth keeping safe. His Sha Tin form is solid, and that base should carry him a long way. 5 Excellence Value has built a handy record with one win and three placings from seven local starts. He has placed in three outings since his win and continues to run well. Hard to knock. 7 Prestige Good steps back into Class 3 after a commanding all-the-way win last week for his first Hong Kong success. The quick back-up is a positive for this improving 4YO. Race 9 (1,200m) 4 Gustosisimo won a Class 2 race at Sha Tin impressively two starts ago, but from barrier 10 last time, he found himself in a slowly run race and could not get into it from his position. He still ran well against the race shape, and returns to his happy hunting ground where the race will be run to suit. 5 Horsepower presents an interesting proposition as he tests himself over 1,200m for the first time. He is thriving with three wins from four locally, and will be finishing strongly late. 1 Aurora Lady will map perfectly from barrier 1 off a strong tempo, as seen two starts ago when a fast-finishing second to Beauty Destiny. Back up to 1,200m is key to his chances. 7 Kaholo Angel has won four times over this trip in Hong Kong, and two of the victories were secured in his last three starts, albeit by just a head both times. He has drawn another inside gate in three, and is not without a chance.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The Hong Kong Racing Postscript: who's hot, who's not and the best of May
Zac Purton, Ellis Wong and David Hayes were on fire, while David Hall finally ended a frustrating winless streak Racing fans were treated to a historic victory in Hong Kong's final Group One of the season, while the race for the trainers' championship heated up in May. The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride. Who's hot? Zac Purton continued to rack up winners in May, booting home 13 winners from just 61 rides for a strike rate of 21.3 per cent – an almost identical figure to his haul from April. The seven-time champion Hong Kong jockey was the most successful rider of the month ahead of Hugh Bowman, who bagged eight wins, while apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang deserves praise for his best month of the term. Wong boosted his seasonal tally to 15 winners with five in May – four of which started at $7.6 or longer. The 24-year-old had just 39 rides, giving him a healthy winning strike rate of 12.82 per cent. David Hayes gave John Size something to think about when he cut the fellow Australian's double-figure lead in the trainers' championship to as little as four winners with a strong return in May. Hayes recorded nine winners – just one ahead of Manfred Man Ka-leung, whose haul came from just 49 runners, giving him a winning strike rate of 16.33 per cent. Size - who leads the title race by seven winners - and Ricky Yiu Poon-fai were the next best handlers with seven wins apiece in May. Who's not? Karis Teetan once again battled in May, scoring just one win from 52 rides to slide to seventh in the jockeys' championship. Four riders towards the bottom of the title standings failed to register a winner in May – Keagan de Melo, Ben Thompson, Antoine Hamelin and Dylan Mo Hin-tung. From a trainer's perspective, David Hall managed just one victory but ended the month on a positive note, with Invincible Sage narrowly beaten in the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) before Ka Ying Attack broke the handler's winless streak of 60 runners on Saturday. Me Tsui Yu-sak also had just one winner, while Pierre Ng Pang-chi and Danny Shum Chap-shing each prepared two in May. Win of the month Voyage Bubble's historic success in the Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) was undoubtedly the highlight of the month, with Yiu's stable star becoming the first galloper in 31 years to claim Hong Kong's Triple Crown. UNBELIEVABLE! 🤯 31 years since River Verdon won the #TripleCrown for the first time, Hong Kong has a second winner of the series in Voyage Bubble, who makes light work of his Champions & Chater Cup rivals... 🏆🏆🏆@WorldPool | @mcacajamez | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 25, 2025 Voyage Bubble made light work of a distance query when he charged from midfield to easily round up his rivals, scoring by three and a half lengths under James McDonald. River Verdon was the only previous winner of the Triple Crown, which also features the Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m) and Group One Gold Cup (2,000m), back in 1993-94. Ride of the month Purton produced a tactical masterclass aboard Shamus Storm to help the promising three-year-old break through for his first triumph at start five. Settled back in the field after his usual tardy start, Shamus Storm was edged off the inside by Purton approaching the 600m to start his run. Purton's genius really came to the fore when he hooked Shamus Storm off the heels of main danger Max Que around the turn, holding the heavily-backed $2.8 second favourite in and preventing him from building momentum at a crucial stage. Shamus Storm let down strongly to power to the lead at the 200m and put the result beyond doubt, with Max Que running on once in the clear for second. Purton was also at his brilliant best on Light Years Charm, while a pair of victorious dirt rides were worth honourable mentions – Wong's on Solid Shalaa and Lyle Hewitson's on Talents Ambition.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Frankie Lor leans on Zac Purton again as Savvy Twinkle looks to break his duck at Happy Valley
Frankie Lor and Zac Purton after Horsepower's winner at Happy Valley in October. Photos: Kenneth Chan Trainer and champion jockey bid to add to haul of 15 winners from 41 runners when teaming up this season Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is confident he can continue his strong partnership with champion jockey Zac Purton when Savvy Twinkle lines up in the Class Four Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The Capitalist gelding is yet to win in five career starts, but posted his best effort yet when second to the in-form Super Sixty at the track and distance of Wednesday night's race last month. Savvy Twinkle was rousted early by Alexis Badel and snaked his way to the rail to lead after 300m, before only being collared in the final 100m after a game rally. That experience will stand him in great stead and despite facing a wide draw in barrier nine, Lor is confident of a big run from the four-year-old. Super Sixty rallies up the inside! Apprentice @elliswong05 guides the chestnut to a second win at Happy Valley for Caspar Fownes... 👏#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 23, 2025 'Last time he went well, it's the same distance but last time he was drawn a bit better,' said Lor. 'The pace will be fast, so we'll have to see after he jumps. 'The form looks good and I think there is more to come from him. Hopefully this time Zac can help me.' Lor has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Purton this season, with the pair teaming for 15 winners from 41 total runners for a very healthy 37 per cent strike rate. 'It's always a positive to have Zac on board – when I ask him he'll pick the right one, so that's why he has 15 winners for me,' said Lor. Acappella Nova races on-speed under Ange Jones and goes on with the job for @tonygollan 🏇@BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 16, 2024 The 59-year-old trainer also has fascinating Australian import The Red Hare running in the Class Three Wyndham Handicap (1,200m) under jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun. The son of Sebring Sun – known as Acappella Nova pre-import – was beaten on debut in Australia but won his subsequent two starts, scoring over 1,200m at Eagle Farm and 1,350m at Doomben. The Red Hare ran well to finish third in a recent barrier trial at the Valley, racing greenly but always under a tight hold. And Lor is hoping for a big run from him on his local debut, though the draw in stall nine could have again been kinder. 'He's a little bit nervous in the mornings but when he starts cantering he's very quiet,' said Lor. 'He needs to learn a bit more but when I've trialled him, he's been good. 'I think he's OK off a rating of 67, but the draw is a bit unfortunate because stall nine is a bit wider than I'd want. 'I have put the earmuffs on him because he's a bit nervous and I think that will help him. He's got a good chance if overcoming his draw.' Lor has bounced back from a slow start to the campaign, which saw him go winless in the first month of the season until Master Trillion broke the drought on October 6. With 42 winners, he sits just two behind third-placed Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and is not too far off the pace overall, with 14 separating him from title leader John Size.
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni hoping Bundle Award can complete historic 2,400m double in Champions & Chater Cup
Andrea Atzeni will be hoping Bundle Award can become the first horse to parlay Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) success into Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) glory in the same season when he jumps aboard the progressive galloper for the first time next weekend. Victorious under Zac Purton in the recent Queen Mother Memorial Cup, the John Size-trained Bundle Award will join forces with Atzeni after Purton opted to lock in the ride aboard stablemate Ensued for the final Group One of the Hong Kong season. 'It's a good ride to get,' said Atzeni. 'He's a horse that stays the trip and he's only young. He's done nothing wrong so far and it's a really good ride. 'He won over the mile and a half the last day. I know they didn't go really quick and it turned into a bit of a sprint, but in these mile and a half races they never go a gallop here anyway, so it could set up very similarly and he's a horse who has quite a bit of speed. 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 stays but he's got quite a bit of pace, so if it turns into a bit of a sprint like it did the last day, it will suit him.' Atzeni will have his first sit on Bundle Award in a Sha Tin dirt trial on Friday morning, with superstar miler Voyage Bubble and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner Cap Ferrat also using the 1,200m hit-out as a stepping stone to the Champions & Chater Cup. Voyage Bubble, who is looking to sweep the Hong Kong Triple Crown, and British raider Dubai Honour shape as the horses to beat come May 25. 'Voyage Bubble has got to step up in trip, which is obviously a question mark, but with the class that he has, he probably doesn't need to stay to win it,' said Atzeni. The champ Via Sistina claims the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes with ease, equalling Winx's record of 7 Group 1's in a season! 🤩 What a mare!@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025 'Dubai Honour gets this trip very well and last time behind Via Sistina [in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) at Randwick], although he had a bit of a tough trip, he never gave up and kept going all the way to the line. He's a very smart horse.' Triumphant aboard the improving Crimson Flash at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Italian jockey Atzeni heads to Sha Tin this Sunday with a full book of 10 rides as he chases the one victory he requires to notch a century of Hong Kong successes. Ng shows signs of life Pierre Ng Pang-chi was another to taste success at the city circuit's midweek meeting and it was a much-needed breakthrough for the third-season trainer. A runaway leader in the trainers' title for much of last season before being pipped by Francis Lui Kin-wai at a pulsating season finale, Ng also hit the ground running this campaign before hitting a brick wall in recent months. After enjoying a share of the premiership lead as recently as February, Ng has slid down to eighth on the table after managing only three wins in March and one in April. Cambridge is off the mark in Hong Kong! 🤝 Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Irish import was G3-placed at @LeopardstownRC before joining Pierre Ng's stable at Sha Tin... 🇮🇪 @JerryChau15 @AtTheRaces | #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 14, 2025 The victory of Cambridge on Wednesday night was Ng's first in 65 runners and six weeks – the longest drought among the training ranks. While it's well known how difficult it is to contend for titles in consecutive seasons in Hong Kong as horses rise through the ratings to unsustainable marks, Ng's drop off in form has been an alarming one. It will be interesting now whether he can build some late-season momentum or if he saves most of his bullets for another title push next campaign.
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Chris So dealt mixed bag of barriers for seven-strong team at Sha Tin
Trainer Chris So and jockey Zac Purton will team up with Pakistan Legacy and With A Smile at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Armed with a strong team of seven runners at Sha Tin on Sunday, Chris So Wai-yin was left with mixed emotions after Pakistan Legacy drew ideally in barrier three but three of his other prominent chances copped wide gates. Closing in on his first Hong Kong success after two seconds from four local starts, Pakistan Legacy was dealt a sweet draw for the Class Three Beas River Country Club Handicap (1,200m) after jumping from 11 last start when fifth to the reopposing Moduleconstruction. While So was thrilled with the Australian import's improved draw, the 56-year-old rued double-digit gates drawn by last-start winner With A Smile (13), Mask Rider (10) and Winning Gold (10). Unbeaten from two pre-import starts, Pakistan Legacy has run close seconds to Super Legends and Lady's Choice and was forced to settle further back than expected from barrier 11 last start. He had made up late ground to finish two lengths behind Francis Lui Kin-wai's Moduleconstruction, who must overcome a wide draw in 11 on Sunday and a 6lbs swing in favour of Pakistan Legacy. Pakistan Legacy (left) finishes a close second to Super Legends on his Hong Kong debut. 'I was hoping for a good draw,' So said. 'Zac [Purton] always sticks with him. He thinks the horse is OK and the owner is good friends with Zac. 'The horse has run very well, he just needs some luck. He's healthy and everything's all right.' 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. So, who has prepared 29 winners this term, will also be relying on Purton's magic to help With A Smile overcome his wide gate in the Class Four Sha Tin Clubhouse Handicap (1,400m). Purton was aboard for the Merchant Navy three-year-old's maiden victory last start, when he shrugged off a wide run without cover from barrier 12 to narrowly score over 1,400m at Sha Tin. With A Smile strikes for a @zpurton double! ✌️ Chris So's impressive Merchant Navy 3YO breaks through for a first win at his fourth start at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 13, 2025 'I think after his last run, he's still improving,' So said of With A Smile, who broke through at start four. 'Zac sticks with him and I think the horse is up-and-coming. Let's see.' With A Smile jumps 7lbs on his last-start triumph to carry equal top weight of 135lbs. Another Australian import, Mask Rider, chases his second win in the city in the Class Three Members Cup (1,200m) on dirt after scoring first up in January. The Justify gelding has only registered one placing in four subsequent runs, but he had excuses last time out when sixth to Must Go after being trapped wide throughout from barrier nine. Mask Rider (centre) wins a recent dirt trial under Britney Wong. 'He's another one that needed a good draw,' So said. 'Britney [Wong Po-ni] has won a lot of races on the dirt and we asked her to ride him again. His last run was good and hopefully we get some luck.' Winning Gold has been hampered by wide draws since scoring on objection over Sky Trust in February. James Orman will again ride the four-time winner in Sunday's final race, the Class Three Shenzhen Centre Handicap (1,600m). 'He's very competitive – every race, he never disappoints,' So said. 'Hopefully he can win a Class Three, but they are all strong.' Protest upheld! Sky Trust crosses the line first, however, it's Winning Gold and @KarisTeetan who lift the finale... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 9, 2025 Hinokami Kagura, Firefoot and Fortune Racer are the other runners on Sunday for So, who continues to weigh up whether to set emerging stable star Hong Lok Golf for the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on May 31. 'He will run again, but there aren't many races for him,' So said of the five-time winner from six starts. 'There is the Group Three on May 31. We'll get him ready and the other race would be at Happy Valley, but we have to discuss with the owner. 'The horse can race forward, so I think Happy Valley would also suit him.'
