Zac Purton will look to fill a rare gap in a glittering portfolio of Hong Kong feature race successes when he partners Packing Hermod in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Friday (31 January).
The record-breaking jockey has ridden more winners in Hong Kong than any other in the jurisdiction’s history but the Hong Kong Classic Mile – the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series – has so far eluded the seven-time champion in 15 attempts.
Purton finished second on Garlic Boy (2013) and Helene Feeling (2024) and also notched third places on Dibayani (2014), Beauty Generation (2017) and Packing Treadmill (2023).
The Australian intends to correct the anomaly aboard Packing Hermod, who he has ridden three times for three of the gelding’s four wins.
Explaining his decision to choose Packing Hermod for Friday’s feature, Purton said: “Firstly, I’ve had a lot to do with him, so I know him very well. I’ve always had a good opinion of him, Francis is a great trainer. He’s consistently been able to get his horses to perform, which is important.
“The owner (Roletta Lee Man Ching), I’ve had a lot of success with and get along with very well, and the horse has got a good record. Also, he’s the equal-highest rated horse in the race. I think that’s important as well when you get back to set weights.
“So, he ticks a lot of boxes and I think he’s capable at the distance. He looks like he’s a good chance.”
Purton will face six jockeys who have previously won the Hong Kong Classic Mile – Blake Shinn (Divano), Christophe Soumillon (Fast Network), Vincent Ho (Cap Ferrat), Hugh Bowman (Mickley), Karis Teetan (Lucy In The Sky) and Jamie Melham (Top Gun).
Shinn scored on Excellent Proposal in 2021, while Soumillon (Thumbs Up in 2009 and Beauty Flash, 2010), Ho (Golden Sixty, 2020), Bowman (Furore in 2019 and Helios Express, 2024), Teetan (Romantic Warrior, 2022) and Melham (Voyage Bubble, 2023) have also savoured victory in the race.
The field is completed by Rubylot (Brenton Avdulla), Call Me Glorious (Matthew Chadwick), Johannes Brahms (Mickael Barzalona), Glory Elite (Harry Bentley), My Wish (Luke Ferraris), Talents Ambition (Matthew Poon) and Markwin (Derek Leung).
Leading the 2024/25 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 78 wins – 45 clear of Bowman – Purton has 10 rides on Friday, including John Size-trained Ensued in the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m).
Fourth under James McDonald behind Giavellotto in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) on 8 December, Ensued resumes after a 1200m dirt trial on 21 January.
“It’s always hard when you come so far back in distance, but he’s had a nice amount of time to freshen up between those runs and I trialled him on dirt recently,” Purton said. “His trial was really good, he’s moving really well, he feels like he’s in a good frame of mind.
“John Size is flying, so there’s a bit to like about him as well.”
Ensued clashes with Straight Arron, Happy Together, Sword Point, Chancheng Glory, Nimble Nimbus, La City Blanche, Five G Patch, Encountered, Stunning Peach and Winning Dragon.
Friday’s (31 January) 11-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Kung Hei Handicap (1200m) at 12.30pm and also features the Class 2 Chinese New Year Cup (1400m), which is carded as Race 6 at 3.05pm.
The Triple Trio’s estimated dividend for a single HK$10 winning unit could reach HK$18 million for Chinese New Year Raceday. The Quartet & First 4 merged pool will also be topped up with a HK$2.8 million jackpot.
By Leo Schlink
