Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton has been booked to ride Kiwi raider El Vencedor in the Gr.1 FWD QE II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin next month.
An invitation was extended to the connections of the in-form gelding following his golden run of form in New Zealand, which included consecutive victories in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m), and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
In search of a rider, trainer Stephen Marsh was able to snare the services of Purton, who is set to return to raceday riding at Sha Tin this weekend after being sidelined with a broken toe, and he is excited to be aboard the Kiwi.
“I am going to ride El Vencedor for New Zealand in the QEII,” Purton told SEN’s Giddy Up With Gareth Hall.
“You can’t knock horses that are winning, and you take Romantic Warrior out of the race here from Hong Kong, Voyage Bubble is going back to the mile, so there is not really anything else around here over the mile-and-a-quarter.
“The Japanese horses will come, they are always very strong. If Goliath comes, he will be very hard to beat, but they have all got to get on the plane to come here first.
“I will ride him (El Vencedor), so that is a nice ride to pick-up.”
Purton will also partner fellow Kiwi-bred Ka Ying Rising in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day, with the pair set to reunite in Sunday’s Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.
The Australian native rode the son of Shamexpress to a trial victory last Friday, and he is excited to be back aboard the highest rated sprinter in the world after being sidelined with injury in his last raceday appearance when taking out the Gr.1 The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) in the hands of interim rider Karis Teetan.
“It was nice to jump on a horse of that quality in my first trial back,” Purton said. “It was good for my confidence as well coming back a winner.
“He is a pleasure to ride, he does everything right. It was nice of him to do what he normally does, he gave me a good feel, and he pulled up really well.
“He is in a really good frame of mind, he is in good shape and I am looking forward to riding him again on the weekend.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
