Zac Purton on Cusp of 2,000 Hong Kong Wins

Zac Purton has eight chances to make history at Happy Valley on Wednesday by riding the two winners required to bring up an unprecedented record of 2,000 Hong Kong victories. Purton will become the first jockey to reach the magic milestone after smashing Douglas Whyte’s previous all-time record of 1,813 wins in January 2025. The eight-time champion jockey has already celebrated his 11th Hong Kong century after hitting 100 victories for the season at Sha Tin, and came within two more of the landmark number on Sunday after winning on each of his first three rides. And while fans will wait excitedly for history to be made, the Australian Racing Hall of Famer said he took the same approach to any ride, no matter what was at stake. “I’m just trying to win every race, that’s all it is, just going out there trying to give every horse the best chance I can give it,” Purton said. “At the end of the day, if that happens, then a few of them will win and the numbers will start adding up.” Despite the expectations, the 43-year-old remained cautious about his chances of reaching the accolade ahead of what could become a red-letter day on Wednesday. “At Happy Valley it’s always tricky, and even more so recently because we’ve had so much track bias there,” Purton said. “It’s really hard to go to the races with a lot of confidence until you get there and you can see how the track is playing and riding, because it can change the chances of your horses dramatically. “It’s a little bit of a look and see, but if I can get the right runs on the horses, then hopefully I can ride a couple of winners and get the job done – and people have something else to talk about.” Honest Witness and Armor Golden Eagle could provide Purton with his best chances to get the celebrations started. Purton teams up with the trainer of the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, when David Hayes’ Honest Witness lines up in the Class Three Seine Handicap. The four-year-old will look for three victories in a row after beating Golden Friendship by a large margin in his last start over 1,200m at the track. “He always showed a little bit of ability, but like a lot of horses he sort of took a few runs to feel a little bit more comfortable, and hopefully now that he’s had a couple of wins he can continue on with it,” Purton said. Hayes and Purton will also combine when Purton takes the reins on Withallmyfaith for the first time in the Class Four Rhine Handicap. Armor Golden Eagle will seek back-to-back wins in the Class Three Sauternes’s Cup for Mark Newnham after recording two victories and a placing from his previous three starts. “He just drew the right gate and had the right run last start, everything fell into place for him and he did a really good job,” Purton said. “It’s never easy at the next start when the scenario might be a little bit different and you’ve gone up so much in the handicap, but he’s an improving horse as well, and hopefully can keep getting on with it. “He can work himself up a little bit before the race, so it’s a matter of just trying to keep him as relaxed as I can so that he hasn’t burned himself out before the gates have opened.” Newnham and Purton will also pair up with Exceed The Wish in the Class Five Dordogne Handicap. Horsepower, Crossborderdude, Spirit Of Peace and Management Folks round out Purton’s book of rides on Wednesday night.