Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton wants to win Golden Slipper

Zac Purton has ridden more winners than anyone else in Hong Kong racing history but there’s one elusive Group 1 race he is determined to secure this autumn.

Zac Purton wants to win the Golden Slipper this autumn. Picture: AFP

Zac Purton, the superstar jockey who has ridden more winners than anyone else in Hong Kong racing history, has revealed a burning ambition – to finally win the $5m Golden Slipper.

The expatriate Australian revealed he is keen to return to ride during the Sydney autumn carnival and covets Golden Slipper success after two near misses on Oohood (second to Estijaab in 2018) and Yankee Rose (second to Capitalist in 2016).

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“The Golden Slipper is the key race for me in the autumn,’’ Purton said.

“It is very hard to get on a two-year-old but I would certainly like to come back to try and win that race.

“I just enjoy winning races, it doesn’t matter if it is a Class 1 at Happy Valley or a Group 1 race.

“But if the opportunity is there, I will always return home for Group 1 rides.’’

Purton, who is careering towards an eighth Hong Kong premiership this season, has ridden 46 Group 1 winners which is a remarkable number given he has been based overseas since 2007.

When Purton does return to ride in Australia, his strike rate of winners to Group 1 rides is more than 30 per cent and includes three Doncaster Miles on Mr Brightside (2023), It’s Somewhat (2017) and Sacred Falls (2014), Randwick Guineas on Communist (2023), Canterbury Stakes on Artorius (2023) and a Caulfield Cup on Admire Rakti (2014).

It is understood the champion jockey is likely to ride at the Group 1 Lightning Stakes meeting at Flemington next month.

Check out this for a finish! 🤯

Gorgeous Win lives up to his namesake, capping a @zpurton four-timer at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/F2sDyRtQja

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 26, 2025

Purton, 42, is also the rider of the world’s best sprinter, Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising who is the $3 favourite with TAB for the $20m The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18.

Ka Ying Rising, winner of 10 races (and two seconds) from 12 starts, scored his ninth successive win with a track record-breaking effort in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin earlier this month.

Trainer David Hayes has confirmed the main target for Ka Ying Rising this year is The Everest with the super sprinter to have two more Group 1 starts in Hong Kong this season in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on February 23 and then the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on April 27.

Purton, who rode Godolphin’s In Secret when a close fourth in Think About It’s Everest two years ago, is convinced Ka Ying Rising has what it takes to win the world’s richest turf race at Royal Randwick in spring.

It's a demolition job in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup! 💪

Ka Ying Rising smashes them to make it 9 wins in a row for David Hayes and @zpurton! @HKJC_Racing | @WorldPool | @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/IqWCrQCtAY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 19, 2025

“What Ka Ying Rising has done in a short period of time is incredible,’’ Purton said.

“He broke the Sha Tin 1200m track record earlier in the season then he broke it again last start, yet he pulls up so well after his races.

“I have never ridden a sprinter as intelligent as this horse, he is so versatile and makes it very easy to ride him. I’ve got all the confidence in the world with this horse.’’

Purton recently smashed the all-time record for most Hong Kong wins and took his mark to a towering 1818 wins with a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday night but he remains as driven as ever for more success.

“I’ve been extremely lucky,’’ Purton said.

“I’ve had an amazing career, I have to pinch myself at times, but it is not over yet.

“You get a bit parochial being this far from home but I feel I fly the Australian flag proudly and I hope everyone back home appreciates what I have been able to achieve.’’

Originally published as Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton wants to win Golden Slipper