‘Not ideal’: Zac Purton’s weight of expectation on Militarize in 2024 Doncaster Mile

Champion hoop Zac Purton is confident in Militarize’s chances in the Doncaster Mile, but concedes he faces a tough task given the weight he will carry as a three-year-old.

Champion Hong Kong hoop Zac Purton is trusting proven quality to rise to the top as he attempts to add to his rich Doncaster Mile record aboard Militarize at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Purton has returned to Australia for day one of The Championships as he hunts a second consecutive and fourth overall win in Australia’s most famous Group 1 mile.

He first combined with trainer Chris Waller to help Sacred Falls capture his second Doncaster in 2014 and scored on It’s Somewhat in 2017 before booting home Mr Brightside last year.

It will be the first time Purton rides Militarize in Saturday’s highly-coveted mile but the experienced jockey knows Militarize’s record speaks for itself.

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The Dundeel colt is already a three-time Group 1 winner and has placed in the Randwick Guineas as well as the George Ryder Stakes in the lead up.

“Militarize is a quality three-year-old,” Purton said.

“They wouldn’t have run him in a Cox Plate if they didn’t have a high opinion of him.

“I think he has been looking for the mile again and maybe even further.

“He was very strong through the line last start (George Ryder) and if it is going to be a testing track, I don’t see the mile being a problem for him.

“He is a track and distance winner and on a wet track as well so that should help him.”

Militarize has been $13 into $8.50 to provide Purton with another Doncaster highlight.

WHAT A WIN 🍾

Militarize completes the Sires/Champagne double 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Rxf8cWyl95

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 15, 2023

Three-year-olds have a great record in the Doncaster with nine wins in the past 28 editions.

Militarize is one of four in this year’s main event with Randwick Guineas winner Celestial Legend, Australian Guineas victor Southport Tycoon and race favourite Another Wil also lining up.

Militarize’s three Group 1 victories will see him carry 54kg in the Doncaster, 4kg more than Another Wil and 5kg over Southport Tycoon and Celestial Legend.

“It is not ideal giving weight,” Purton admits.

Purton after winning the Doncaster Mile on Mr Brightside.

“Three-year-olds have a good record in the race but generally they get in with a bit of a kinder weight.

“This guy has obviously won three Group 1s so he certainly deserves the weight that he is going to carry on Saturday but that’s the challenge that he faces on Saturday.”

Take a bow, Les Bridge! 👏🏼

He's still training G1 winners at 85, having prepared CELESTIAL LEGEND to take out today's G1 Randwick Guineas! ⭐️pic.twitter.com/ibfMakzFSc

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) March 9, 2024

Purton will also look to be the thorn in 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz’s side again when he pilots the James Cummings-trained Aft Cabin ($17) in the Group 1 $3m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).

Purton was aboard Artorius the last time the Kiwi superstar came to Sydney and produced a peach from back in the field to surge home over the top of Imperatriz in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes.

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Aft Cabin lacks the same resume as a sprinter like Artorius but was a Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint winner at the same track and trip on heavy going last year.

The son of Astern was unlucky not to win first up this preparation in the Challenge Stakes before only beating a handful of runners home in The Galaxy.

“I thought he was a bit stiff two starts back when he didn’t have much room and then last start he looked as if he was a bit disappointing so he will need to bounce back from that,” Purton said.

“He goes good at Randwick, he likes soft ground but this is a strong race so he will need to bring his best to be competitive. I am hoping he can bounce back in a competitive race.”

Passive Aggressive wins the Challenge Stakes for the second year in a row 👏 @JChilds47@Grahame_Beggpic.twitter.com/ALf1TmZnpb

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 9, 2024

Purton doesn’t have a ride in the Australian Derby while he links up with the Chris Waller-trained Duvana in the $1m ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

He also has bookings on Embassy (Kindergarten Stakes), Tannhauser (Carbine Club Stakes) and Bright Red (Adrian Knox Stakes).

The 41-year-old arrived in Australia on Friday after riding at Sha Tin on Wednesday night where remains on track to capture a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ premierships.

He has ridden 87 winners for the campaign in the Asian jurisdiction

“It’s been a bit of a frustrating season for a number of different reasons,” Purton said.

“There have been a few niggling injuries that haven’t helped but I feel like I am on top of everything and things feel like there are starting to roll a little bit better.

“Hopefully through the next three and a half months to the end of the season we can light things up a little more. Things are going alright, I just want to be going better.”

A fourth Doncaster Mile would be the perfect way for Purton to kickstart his late season charge.

Originally published as ‘Not ideal’: Zac Purton’s weight of expectation on Militarize in 2024 Doncaster Mile