Zac Purton and Joao Moreira rivalry set to reignite in Group 1 Caulfield Cup classic

Zac Purton is on the cusp of rewriting the record books in Hong Kong as he readies to go past the legendary Douglas Whyte’s all-time win record later this season, however he has spring glory in his sights first and foremost.

Zac Purton’s date with destiny aboard Land Legend will have been a year in the making by the time the superstar jockey jumps aboard in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup.

Purton will ride the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) winner at just 53kg as he joins an army of Hong Kong-based jockeys looking to win the $5 million prize and reignites his famous rivalry with Brazilian ace Joao Moreira as well.

A decade on from his Caulfield Cup win aboard Japanese star Admire Rakti, Purton says Land Legend is as good a chance as he has had in the race, however he doesn’t come without his quirks.

When it came to finding a spring Cups ride, it was simple for Purton, who leant on big-time Hong Kong owner Bon Ho, with the pair enjoying success around the world.

READ| WATCH: Jockey takes off lap early in brain fade

“When the horse first came to Australia last year, when he was trained by James Ferguson, I was booked to ride him in the St Leger, but we realised he wasn’t going to get my weight as the race drew closer,” Purton told Racenet.

“Bon Ho races a lot of horses up here and I have had a lot of success riding for him.

“He had Southern Legend, we went to Singapore and won the Kranji Mile twice, I rode him in Dubai as well.”

With Moreira riding the Chris Waller-trained stablemate and favourite Buckaroo, the duo are set to lock horns again after a series of battles in Hong Kong over the years.

Zac Purton and his wife Nicole has been mainstays in Hong Kong. Picture: Vince Caligiuri — Getty Images.

Moreira is no longer based in Hong Kong and is a gun for hire, but Purton will be aware of what he is capable of more than any other jockey in the field on Saturday.

Fellow Hong Kong jockeys Andrea Atzeni (Zardozi), Karis Teetan (Coco Sun) and Ben Thompson (Sayedaty Sadaty) are all set to jet in to Caulfield for a hit-and-run mission, however the order of entry is set to cause havoc.

Thompson’s ride Sayedaty Sadaty sits 26th on ballot order and looks unlikely to make the 18-horse field.

Purton however is assured of a start and fortuitously only came after Land Legend’s Metropolitan victory.

READ| EXCLUSIVE: National tote pool edges closer with shock merger imminent

“He didn’t have my weight for the Caulfield or Melbourne Cup until he got the penalty from the Metrop,” Purton said.

“He’s not the easiest horse to ride, it looks like he latches on a little bit and he was a bit wayward in the straight, I will need to help him around Caulfield as much as I can.”

Purton has made no secret of his desire to win the Melbourne Cup before his career is over and has committed to ride Land Legend at Flemington next month.

The superstar is set to rewrite the record books in Hong Kong this season, where he is all but certain to go past the legendary Douglas Whyte’s record of 1813 wins in the city.

Originally published as Zac Purton and Joao Moreira rivalry set to reignite in Group 1 Caulfield Cup classic