As a citizen of Hong Kong for more than a decade, Zac Purton understands all too well the value of seizing opportunities in this dynamic city.
While the 2021/2022 season is still in its infancy, Zac must surely be revelling in the way the current term is unfolding.
With 12 meetings down – Zac has contested 11 of them – he has accumulated 25 winners at a strike rate of 27.5 percent. Underlining an extraordinary star to proceedings, Zac has tallied 47 top-three placings from 91 mount at 51.6 percent.
By landing 12 winners from 33 rides at a winning strike rate of 36.4 percent so far this month, Zac has stamped his authority on the jockey’s championship and, with a pair of quartets in four days, he is setting Joao Moreira a sobering challenge in the tussle for the title.
While Zac has flourished in October, Joao has posted five wins and 10 minor placings from 44 mounts in the same period and now trails Zac by 11 in the championship with 14 wins and 25 minor placings from 106 rides.
At the corresponding stage last season, it was a different story. Joao’s first 92 mounts yielded 21 wins and 21 placings; At the same point, Zac had totalled 16 winners and 27 placings from 99 rides.
At the same time last season, Joao enjoyed a 22.8 winning percentage through the first 12 meetings, while Zac was striking at 16.2 percent. This season, Zac’s strike rate has soared, while Joao’s has fallen to 13.2.
Confidence is a fickle commodity but the one certainty about the Brazilian champion is that, sooner than later, he will reclaim top form – and with a vengeance.
On the subject of numbers, 29 Hong Kong races have been won by horses stabled at Conghua before competing at either Sha Tin or Happy Valley at a strike rate of 25.89 percent. Fa Fa’s eye-catching victory on Wednesday night for Frankie Lor made him the first horse to become a multiple winner out of Conghua this season.
Another positive aspect to Wednesday’s mid-week fixture was the striking debut performance of Danny Shum’s Romantic Warrior, who was bought at the Hong Kong International Sale in June and earned HK$592,800 for his connections on debut.
Ahead of the imminent close of all entries, including Hong Kong nominations for LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday, it was particularly encouraging this week to view Golden Sixty’s Sha Tin trial victory. Early days yet, but the form of Hong Kong’s “Bubble Horse” bodes well for December.
We have already welcomed some talented newcomers this season, none more impressive than Nervous Witness, and it will be interesting to gauge the performances this weekend of Frankie Lor’s emerging duo, Master Eight and Five Elements.
The Class 3 Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Cup is the sixth race on the Sunday card at Sha Tin and will be run over 1600 metres. The pace will be good with promising newcomer Gorytus likely to go forward under Harry Bentley along with Gallant Crown and Karis Teetan.
Gorytus is a lightly raced three-year-old and is stepping up in trip after a solid debut last month. He can dictate the running and is a win and place chance.
Mr Aldan, who finished fourth last start when he showed good improvement, is a two-time winner at this course and distance and will be ridden by in-form jockey Matthew Chadwick. He is a place chance.
Maldives will improve in his second-up run as he draws a much better gate and will get a good run from midfield under in-form Zac Purton. He was drawn widest of 14 and had to be taken back in his seasonal debut last month and this time he gets the inside barrier. He is a place chance. Tianchi Monster has drawn wide with Antoine Hamelin but is in good form. He will need some luck in running and is also a place chance.
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