Champion jockey Zac Purton has secured the ride aboard highly-rated European import Light Infantry in two feature races during the forthcoming Spring Carnival.
The Ciaron Magher and David Eustace-trained five-year-old will have the services of Purton in the Group 1 King Charles III (formerly the G1 George Main Stakes) and Group 1 Cox Plate, which Hong Kong stayer Romantic Warrior will tackle and is currently the early fixed odds favourite.
Trained by David Simcock in Europe, Light Infantry has featured in the placings on three occasions in Group 1 races this season. All up, the stallion has won two from 11 with a further six placings to his name.
In an interview with Australian media outlet Racenet, Purton said:
“He’s come out of three really strong Group 1 races in Europe, not beaten far and it looks like he’s reaching his peak and should be well suited in Australian weight for age races.
“The Cox Plate is one of Australian racing’s majors so of course being an Aussie it’s a race I would love to win. And the King Charles (III) with its new status on Everest Day is a race I’m looking forward to. I’m still on the hunt for an Everest ride.”
