Purton ready to put record chase to bed: ‘I can’t enjoy it until it’s done’

He sailed past his previous personal best while ringing up 1,600 Hong Kong wins at Happy Valley on Thursday night, but Zac Purton admits he is not yet at the point at which he can enjoy his magnificent season.

Purton’s midweek treble took him to 169 victories for the season – one more than the 168 he managed in the 2018-19 campaign – and left him just one win short of Joao Moreira’s single-season Hong Kong record of 170.

“They’re all nice numbers to hit and milestones to tick off – it’s just another one on the journey,” Purton said of his new personal best.

“But I can’t enjoy it until it’s done,” he added of his record push. “Nothing is ever given in life and especially in sport. To be as close as I am, if something was to happen, it would be heartbreaking, so I’m not going to enjoy it or rest until I get the job done.

“I’ve still got to do it, and we’re dealing with horses and horse racing. I still need the horses to turn up and be at their best for me to be able to ride a couple more winners. The fight continues.”

Three meetings remain in the 2022-23 season, and Purton heads to Sha Tin on Sunday with a 10-strong book he is confident could see him better Moreira’s mark with a week to spare.

“I think the horses are in good enough form, and I’ve drawn nice enough gates, so it’s just a matter of them turning up and delivering their best. Hopefully, we can get it done. If not, we look towards the next meeting,” Purton said.

Among Purton’s chief hopes this weekend is Helios Express, who is looking to back up his three-length last-start blitz in the Class Three Philip Chen Trophy (1,200m).

“He’s got to carry the weight this time. He’s a young, inexperienced horse, and it’s never easy having to carry top weight, especially in this class. It’s not going to be an easy job for him, but he’ll get his chance,” Purton said.

Duke Wai must also lug a heavy impost in the Class One Swaine Cup (1,200m) in his first start since finishing sixth in April’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize at the same trip.

“I think this is probably his best track and distance, but the small field doesn’t really suit him because he’s a horse who generally likes a decent speed, where he can relax,” Purton said of Duke Wai, who faces only five opponents in Sunday’s feature.

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“If the tempo doesn’t suit him, he can do a bit too much during the run, and he beats himself a little bit. These small fields can be a little bit tricky, and that might work against him.”

While Purton will not be taking the foot off the pedal until the Hong Kong season is over, he did confirm rest and recuperation will very much be the order of the day following the final meeting on July 16, rather than the off-season stint in Japan he was considering for a time.

“My body just doesn’t feel right. I’ve been battling all season, and my hip flexor and lower back are just not quite right. At the end of the day, I thought it was best to give it some extra time off, so I’m just going to have a holiday and rest and recharge. I think long term that’s the better play,” said Purton, who also rides Ka Ying Victory, Brilliant Pioneer, Endeared, Magic Supreme, Raging Blizzard, Ho Ho Star, Ragnarr and Flying Mojito on Sunday.

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