Purton edges near mammoth Moreira total after stunning Sha Tin six-timer

Hong Kong's champion jockey Zac Purton, who this season has become only the second rider in the country's history to ride more than 1,000 winners and set a new record for prize-money in a campaign, has another milestone in his sights after an exquisite six-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Purton, who has been a mainstay in Hong Kong for more than ten years and was first champion in 2013-14, snatched back the crown from Joao Moreira last term and closed on another of the Brazilian sensation's achievements when starring at Sha Tin.

Moreira holds the record for most winners in a season with 170 in 2016-17, a total many thought might never be broken.

However, Purton – who won the King's Stand at Royal Ascot on Little Bridge in 2012 – now has that tally in touching distance after his dominant display took him to 164.

56 winners – the amount Basil Marcus won the Hong Kong title with in 1998-99

The Australian got off the mark on Wayfoong Charmer before going on the rampage and winning four races on the spin, his victory on Magic Success prompting commentator Brett Davis to say: "He'd win on a merry-go-round at the moment – this is sheer gold from Zac Purton."

Derek Young snapped that run by beating the 36-year-old's mount Seven Heavens on Classic Unicorn, but the three-time champion ended a brilliant day by winning on Marvelous World.

There are two meetings – Happy Valley on Wednesday and Sha Tin next Sunday – for Purton to overhaul his old rival before Hong Kong's season ends.

"Six winners is a huge effort, of course it is, but I still need six more just to match Joao and I don't know if I've got the horses to do that," he said.

112 – how many winners Purton rode for his first championship in 2013-14

Purton has already had a sublime 2018-19, enjoying a flawless eight-from-eight run on star miler Beauty Generation and joining Hong Kong riding legend Douglas Whyte as the only other jockey in the 1,000-winners club.

While Purton had the jockeys' title race sewn up with something in hand, the trainers' tussle is tight and Magic Success's victory helped John Moore move to within one of John Size (74-73) in that.

Moore, the most successful trainer in Hong Kong racing, is seeking an eighth honour and is running out of time to add to his glittering CV as, at the age of 70, he will be forced to retire at the end of next season.

"It's going right to the wire," said the legendary figure, who has spent more than 40 years in the jurisdiction.

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