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SCMP Sport

Zac Purton closed in on a remarkable 2,000 career wins in Hong Kong on Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse, winning his first three rides of the day, and could reach the milestone at Happy Valley this week.
The Australian jockey sits on an astonishing 1,998 triumphs, and with just two more victories needed to reach the magic milestone should expect to get at least double that number of rides for Wednesday’s meeting.
With Romantic Warrior and James McDonald sealing a remarkable Triple Crown, it looked for a time as though Purton would make it a double celebration at Sha Tin.
The 43-year-old guided Flying Amani to a thrilling victory over Perfecto Moments in the opening race, the Class Five Digital Assets Handicap, and made it two from two shortly after with a strong win on board Come Fast Fay Fay in the Class Four Sustainable Finance Handicap.
Purton made it three wins from three rides on the day with another peach, this time aboard Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Packing King in the Class Four Corporate & Investment Banking Handicap.

The large crowd at Sha Tin was reflected in packed out Hong Kong Jockey Club facilities around the city, and at the Central venue it was standing room only as people settled in to see if Purton could achieve greatness.
But after watching the top jockey miss in his fourth and fifth races of the day, a local retiree, surnamed Chan, said he was not expecting to see any other history made on Sunday.
“Two thousand race wins is a milestone, but I don’t think he can push even further today,” Chan said. “Maybe we should look further ahead.”
A fourth place in the day’s feature race, the Champions & Chater Cup, seemed to support that belief. Misses on Beauty Bolt and Mickley, and a third place on Fit For Beauty meant Purton will have to wait until Happy Valley at the earliest to hit his target.
His fans will be watching and waiting. “Purton is the best jockey in Hong Kong - no, in the world,” one said.


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Hong Kong racing

Race to 2,000: Zac Purton hailed as ‘best in the world’ as he nears magic milestone

Zac Purton and Flying Amani (right) edge ahead of Perfecto Moments to win the first race of the day at Sha Tin. Photo: Kenneth Chan.

Zac Purton (right) and wife Nicole celebrate after his win on Packing King. Photo: Kenneth Chan.

The road to 2,000 wins: champion jockey Zac Purton’s journey to greatness

Zac Purton celebrates his 1,994th Hong Kong win last Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Jockey Zac Purton at Sha Tin trackwork in 2007.

Zac Purton celebrates his first Hong Kong championship.

Zac Purton with the IJC trophy in 2017.

Zac Purton celebrates his 1,000th Hong Kong victory.

Zac Purton and wife Nicole ring the commemorative bell after Purton broke Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong record.

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David Hayes celebrates a Happy Valley double last month. Photos: Kenneth Chan

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Sport

Hong Kong

Australian jockey rides Flying Amani, Come Fast Fay Fay and Packing King to victory in his first three races at Sha Tin, now on 1,998 Hong Kong wins


Australian jockey rides Flying Amani, Come Fast Fay Fay and Packing King to victory in his first three races at Sha Tin, now on 1,998 Hong Kong wins.


Zac Purton

Race to 2,000: Zac Purton hailed as ‘best in the world’ as he nears magic milestone

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Australian jockey rides Flying Amani, Come Fast Fay Fay and Packing King to victory in his first three races at Sha Tin, now on 1,998 Hong Kong wins

Australian jockey rides Flying Amani, Come Fast Fay Fay and Packing King to victory in his first three races at Sha Tin, now on 1,998 Hong Kong wins