Graham Cunningham: old rivals Purton and Moreira primed for another long duel

Another volatile week on the Hong Kong jockey-go-round saw a Brazilian and an Aussie swap places, a Frenchman jump on and a hometown apprentice left behind before his ride even started.

Zac Purton has chipped away gradually at Joao Moreira's lead at the top of the jockeys' table and, with the Magic Man enduring a night to forget at Happy Valley on Wednesday, the Aussie snagged a double to nose ahead (90-89) for the first time since September.

Purton came from 15 back to win a title duel that went to the last day of the season in 2018 and both men are anticipating another lengthy scrap this time around. Both riders are in action at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Sunday's card from Sha Tin

"It appears the momentum is with me but Joao says he's got lots of bullets so I've always got to be wary of the support he's going to get," said Purton.

Moreira responded: "Zac is good for me and I'm good for him. We both push each other forward and I think everyone will benefit from that."

Racing rolls on in testing times

Hong Kong races on amid the coronavirus crisis but only after a scare involving homegrown rider Keith Yeung.

He felt unwell after riding at Sha Tin last Sunday but is back in action this weekend after returning a negative test for coronavirus.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges described the episode as "definitely scary" but is adamant that Hong Kong is ideally placed to continue racing behind closed doors with a wide range of precautions – such as social distancing, medical masks, temperature checking and health declaration forms – all in place.

"We're in a unique situation," he said. "Hong Kong in general has much more awareness and the public is much more controlled in how they face this challenge. You need a bit of luck but, structurally, we can minimise risk of infection.

"We have the infrastructure, the technology and the processes in place. I don't think many other [jurisdictions] could replicate this easily and this is the advantage we have."

Hamelin in lockdown after answering SOS

French rider Antoine Hamelin has signed up for his first Hong Kong contract after jetting in just before the government closed down the city to all non-residents for two weeks on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old, who has ridden more than 700 winners on home soil and won the Prix du Jockey Club aboard Saonois in 2012, did not have much time to make up his mind after it emerged that Aldo Domeyer has opted to remain in Cape Town with his family during the coronavirus crisis.

Hamelin has to undergo a 14-day quarantine at the HKJC's Beas River complex before he can start a deal that runs to the end of the season. He will be hoping to emulate compatriots Alexis Badel and Tony Piccone, who both enjoyed successful winter stints before returning to France.

Purton ready to meet his Match

Another recent French recruit will be on duty at Sha Tin on Sunday, but Transcendent will not have Purton aboard when he lines up for a strong Class 2 finale (10.50).

A winner on All-Weather Finals day at Lingfield last season when known as Pizzicato for Fabrice Chappet, Transcendent bucked a trend by making a winning HK debut but Purton was not surprised.

Transcendent (7): winner at Lingfield last season when known as PizzicatoCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com)

He said: "Transcendent did what I thought he was going to do, he was trialling well and gave me a good feel."

Purton added of his mount, Perfect Match, in Sunday's feature: "There’s a lot of pressure in the race and we've got a bad gate [stall 11] but he’s an honest horse, he always gives his best, and he goes well when he’s fresh."

You're fired: HK's latest apprentice series over before it starts

Meanwhile, Gary Lo's dreams of becoming Hong Kong's hottest new apprentice have been dashed after the Jockey Club withdrew his licence due to "a pending employment-related matter".

The 21-year-old was meant to make his HK debut at Sha Tin on Sunday having recently returned from riding over 60 winners in Australia and would have been in demand because of the 10lb claim that new apprentices call on.

Club officials declined to comment on the reasons for their decision but local racing media are seldom so reticent. Some reports suggest Lo had acted against mandatory quarantine requirements by going jogging and posting related pictures on social media.

Read more:

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South Africa in complete lockdown and racing cancelled on Friday for three weeks

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