Douglas Whyte says there is nothing unusual about teaming up with Zac Purton at Sha Tin, insisting the booking reflected availability rather than any change in relationship.
The former champion jockey combined with his long-time rival when Riding High led throughout to score, the pair teaming up together for the first time since June. Whyte said the attention surrounding the booking missed the point.
“Zac is very hard to get,” Whyte said. “He chases the right rides and sometimes it’s very difficult for me. I try to be as loyal as I can.
“It was funny when we both walked back after the win – Zac said you’d swear we’ve never had a winner between us the way the media were going on about things. But it’s just good to have him on a horse and it’s good to get a winner with him on board.”
Whyte said his own experience as a jockey shaped how he now handles rider decisions as a trainer.
“I was a jockey once, so when a jockey does nothing wrong, it’s difficult to take somebody off and just put Zac on because he’s the number one,” he said. “He does a fantastic job and he does make a difference, but I try to be loyal where I can.”
Whyte said Purton’s ride made the difference aboard Riding High. “
"He’s not an easy horse. He overdoes things,” Whyte said. “He needed ‘a Zac ride’ – Zac’s got a good pair of hands. He got a breather mid-race and that made the difference.”
Whyte later added another winner when Six Pack scored his first Hong Kong success and secured a spot in the Hong Kong Classic Mile. Six Pack finished less than four lengths behind Mr Brightside at Group 1, weight-for-age level and was sixth in the G1 Australian Guineas before being purchased for Hong Kong.
The import had two starts last season before spending nearly 11 months away from the races as he recovered from ligament injury. “He’s a lovely horse and he has been a bit unlucky,” Whyte said. “The owners have been patient. He’s back on track and they deserve that win.”
