Zac Purton booked to ride Isthmus in Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington

Zac Purton will ride in Melbourne next week and could make a return to Royal Ascot for the first time in 13 years if everything goes to plan with an Anthony and Sam Freedman sprinter.

As connections of Isthmus laid down what she would have to do to book a Royal Ascot ticket, star jockey Zac Purton said it was wise words from the stable which led to him being booked to ride the sprinter in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington.

The record-breaking Hong Kong jockey said it was a no-brainer to commit to ride the Sam and Anthony Freedman-trained four-year-old mare in the Lightning where she is an $11 chance on Saturday week.

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“It’s an astute stable that wouldn’t have reached out if they didn’t think she was worth the trip,” Purton told Racenet.

“She’s got a solid winning record, enjoys firm ground and won well up the straight last start.”

Former Aussie Purton hasn’t ridden in 13 years at Royal Ascot but, all going well with Isthmus, he is in the box seat to ride her at Royal Ascot later this year.

Isthmus, a daughter of I Am Invincible, is jointly owned by Arrowfield and also the Pinecliff Racing organisation of prominent racing identity Jonathan Munz.

Munz’s racing manager Rod Douglas outlined what Isthmus would need to do to warrant having a crack at Royal Ascot.

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Douglas said the mare’s form at this stage of her development was similar to Asfoora before that sprinter powered to victory in King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

“Isthmus would need to be competitive in the Lightning, at least running in the top four or only being beaten less than a couple of lengths,” Douglas said.

“Then into the Newmarket Handicap obviously, with a light weight.

“I think her form is comparative to a mare like Asfoora.”

Blink and you'll miss her 💨

ISTHMUS sprints home to take out the last on #DerbyDay.

🎥 @wwos | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/eEkh4Cxc2h

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

Douglas was sure Isthmus, who has won five of her 11 starts, would be competitive in the big Group 1 Melbourne sprints this autumn carnival.

But if she failed to measure up, a future option other than Royal Ascot could be the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide in late April.

In betting on next week’s Lightning Stakes, elite Chris Waller three-year-old colt Switzerland is the $3.20 favourite while another three-year-old, Ciaron Maher colt Growing Empire, is on the second line of betting at $4.

Originally published as Zac Purton booked to ride Isthmus in Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington