If you’re a trainer in Hong Kong and you want eight-time champion jockey Zac Purton to ride your horse, then you have to be prepared to pounce early, just like trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho did when Golden Friendship was beaten at Happy Valley on October 22.
The trainer secured the services of Purton over a month before last night’s opening Class 5 contest, so it was no wonder he was ecstatic when the champion jockey urged Golden Friendship to a decisive win under the lights.
“As soon as this horse was beaten last start I was on the phone to Zac, asking if he could ride in this race,” Ting said. “You have to get Zac a month in advance if you are lucky.”
With no agents allowed to sort rides for jockeys in Hong Kong, each jockey must organize and secure their own mounts, communicating with trainers, assistant trainers and owners. But Purton’s dominance in Hong Kong has made booking his services tough, with plenty of trainers often vying for the Australian’s skill set.
Ting’s organization to book Purton paid dividends last night as the trainer, who began the evening at the bottom of the trainers’ championship, celebrated his fifth win of the season thanks to Golden Friendship’s success.
Despite having to overcome a wide berth in gate 10, Golden Friendship jumped sharply and tracked the leaders in third. After being urged forward by Purton, the four-year-old responded to edge a length and a half clear in the closing stages.
“When he drew barrier 10, I thought it wasn't good, but I knew the horse had good early speed that could get him out of trouble,” Ting said of the 1,000-meter victory in Class 5.
“1,200m and 1,400m are too much for him and a 1,000m here is the only place he can win. Class 4 is tough for him - he will need a low draw, a 1,000m race here and everything to go his way to be competitive there.”
