Zac Purton says Melbourne Cup favourite Fame Game is best horse in the race

FORMER Queensland jockey Zac Purton has taken the ultimate step to ensure his tilt at Melbourne Cup glory with Japanese favourite Fame Game is not lost in translation.

Caulfield Cup Races.Race 9 Caulfield Cup.Winning jockey Zac Purton returns to scale after his win on 'Admire Rakti'. Picture:Ian Currie

FORMER Queensland jockey Zac Purton has taken the ultimate step to ensure his tilt at Melbourne Cup glory is not lost in translation.

For the second consecutive year, Purton will ride a Japanese favourite for the Cup but this time he is taking no chances with the language barrier.

Purton is leaving no stone unturned for the ride on Fame Game and has flown in his mate Adam Harrigan, an ex-pat Aussie who has lived in Tokyo for 18 years, to act as a translator.

Fame Game’s owners are also bringing a translator but Purton wants to make doubly sure he gets clear instructions and advice from trainer Yoshitada Munakata and the connections.

“With a huge race like this and with everything that is at stake, I wanted to make absolutely sure I got it right,’’ Purton told The Courier-Mail from Hong Kong.

“I specifically asked Adam to come down for the Cup to make sure there wasn’t going to be any confusion over the way the horse has been prepared and what was expected of me.

“He is an Aussie lad who has lived in Japan for 18 years and he will make sure nothing gets lost in translation.

“Hopefully we get it right.’’

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Purton looks to have made a smart move, considering the Japanese trainer of last year’s Cup favourite Admire Rakti actually spoke better English than the translator he brought with him.

The sad saga of Admire Rakti was one of the worst moments of Purton’s career when the horse died after collapsing back at the stalls just five minutes after finishing last in the Cup.

There is a bit of Deja vu with Purton riding another Japanese favourite — and he is convinced he is on the best horse in the Cup.

“After what happened last year, I am a little bit more cautious this year,’’ Purton said.

“But I believe I am on the best horse, his form in Japan is very good and he put the writing on the wall with a terrific Caulfield Cup run.

“There is a lot more hype about the Japanese horse I am riding this year, compared to last year.

“Admire Rakti had a better turn of foot and he was better suited to a mile and a half, whereas Fame Game is a genuine stayer and the 3200m won’t be a problem for him and he will be powering right through the line.

Zac Purton with his Melbourne Cup mount Fame Game at Werribee. Picture: Getty Images

“Last year it was a tragic day and no-one could have predicted what ended up happening.

“It left a fairly sombre mood all over the racecourse, not just for myself and the connections, but I think everyone was in a state of shock.

“It is always going to be in the back of my mind, it’s a memory that I wish I didn’t have.

“Hopefully I can make better memories in the Cup this year.’’

Purton, who will carry the weight of punters’ money in the Cup, cut his teeth in the Brisbane jockeys room and threw himself into the deep end of Hong Kong racing in 2007.

He rode in Hong Kong on the weekend and does not arrive into Melbourne until Monday, allowing him to escape the pressure cooker of the build-up to the biggest race of the year.

“I’m lucky that I’m over in Hong Kong and I’m away from the storm that is created in Cup Week in Melbourne,’’ he said.

“I can just stay here on the periphery go about my business and turn up when I need to.’’

Originally published as Zac Purton says Melbourne Cup favourite Fame Game is best horse in the race