Top jockeys Zac Purton and Joao Moreira go toe to toe at Happy Valley

Reigning champion Zac Purton and Joao Moreira have traded blows at Happy Valley on Wednesday with two wins each as they battle to gain the ascendancy in the Hong Kong jockeys' championship.

Moreira was three ahead of Purton on 107 winners heading into the nine-race card and drew first blood with victory aboard Victorious Seeker in the second race, which his rival swiftly followed with a narrow success when partnering Happy Warrior in the next contest.

The pattern repeated itself in the following two races, with Moreira striking with Simply Fluke followed by Purton with Sky Show.

Happy Valley results

They are used to going toe to toe as they have shared the jockeys' championship between them for the last six years. The jockeys have each won the title three times, with Purton claiming the last two.

On Sunday the Australian became the first Hong Kong jockey to win every Group 1 in Hong Kong after landing the QEII Cup with a beautifully timed ride aboard Exultant at Sha Tin.

He had earlier suffered an agonising defeat with top miler Beauty Generation, who missed out by a short head from surprise winner Southern Legend in the Champions Mile.

Read more:

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Redemption for Zac Purton as Exultant claims the QEII Cup with dominant display

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