Purton hopeful Blizzard can defy class rise

Zac Purton is optimistic Raging Blizzard’s uncomplicated racing manners can prove decisive when John Size’s progressive charge tackles the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Jinbao Street Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Chasing a hat-trick of wins, Raging Blizzard (124lb) returns to Sha Tin after successive 1200m victories at Happy Valley in Class 3 and will face seven rivals – stablemate Bundle Of Charm (135lb), Atullibigeal (134lb), Drombeg Banner (128lb), We Are Hero (124lb), Lucky Encounter (119lb), Supreme Lucky (119lb) and Gorgeous Win (117lb).

With 1,701 Hong Kong wins to his credit, Purton has confidence in the Per Incanto four-year-old.

“He’s continued to improve and progress through his preparation this season, as a lot of John Size’s horses do and he’s just got himself into good spots. The cheek pieces went on, he’s a little bit more focused and ridden a little bit further back off the speed. That’s just allowed him to relax a little bit more and he’s been a bit stronger,” the Australian said.

“I’ll just ride him where he’s comfortable. He’s a no-nonsense horse, he just gets out there and does what he needs to do. He’s a nice horse to ride.”

Purton will attempt to bolster his 30-win lead – 91 to 61 – over Karis Teetan in the 2023/24 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship when he partners Ka Ying Warrior in the Class 4 Dongzhimen Handicap (1000m) for Dennis Yip.

Runner-up twice this season, the Written Tycoon gelding has been plagued with issues throughout his three-start career.

“He’s obviously had some problems, but he seems to be a bit better at the moment – his trial was nice – so we’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed on race day,” Purton said.

“We’re going to run him in a 1000-metre race where the speed is a little bit quicker and hopefully that allows him to relax in behind or to get into a better rhythm and see if it makes a difference.

“Obviously on race day (last start) he was a bit disappointing. He was trialling so well and we just expected him to go there and get the job done and he travelled up like he was going to win and just couldn’t finish it off.”

Reflecting on becoming only the second jockey after Douglas Whyte (1,813 winners) to ride 1,700 winners or more in Hong Kong, Purton said: “The mind is alright, the body is starting to let me down – it’s a day-to-day proposition, really, having to patch myself up between meetings to get back out there is quite tiring, really, but that’s the life of a sportsman. It’s the position I’m in.

“If we get there (Whyte’s record), we get there. If my body doesn’t allow me to, well so be it – I’ve had a good run of things here with a lot of success. Hopefully I’ve got a few more winners left in me.”

Frankie Lor is hopeful Santorini can develop into a quality galloper next season as the Irish three-year-old prepares to make his debut under Karis Teetan in the Wangfujing Plate (1000m) for Griffins on Sunday.

“He had a foot problem but now it’s back to normal. He’s trialled three times and the last trial was good. I think he should be a nice horse for next season – 1000 metres might be a bit short. I think he should still run well this Sunday,” Lor said.

By Kodiac, Santorini finished fourth in a 1000m Sha Tin trial on 2 April behind Jamie Richards-trained La Forza, who will be ridden by Purton this weekend in the first Griffin race of the season

Teetan believes Great Spirit is poised to strike after drawing favourably in barrier four in the Class 4 Chaoyangmen Handicap (1400m).

“The draw (gate 11) didn’t play to his hand last time when he got caught out and had to do it the hard way,” Teetan said. “He’s a horse who will appreciate the 1400m now. He’s an up-and-coming horse and I’m looking forward to ride him this Sunday. I think the draw will help him a lot and I will ride him where he’s comfortable.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: La Forza has been trialling very well and appears ready to win this moderate Griffin race, where the majority have not shown enough at the trials to instil much confidence. California Moxie strong trainer and jockey combination with Cruz and Avdulla combining and should run a handy race. California Star another Cruz runner who is well prepared for debut and watch the betting. Santorini from astute yard and watch betting support on his first start. Thunder Blink has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting.

Race 2: Beat Hollow showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Bowman takes over the reins and should get the race run to suit from barrier 2. Good View Glory good performance when storming home for third place last start – his best run yet – and he should run another good race. Perfect Peach will win in this grade very soon. With any luck from barrier 11, he will be hard to beat. Gangnam Star drops in class here and finds a suitable race, start to follow. The Good Deal can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Barrier 1 suits.

Race 3: Great Spirit had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. Prior, he checked in a promising second on debut. From barrier 4, he should be going close to winning. Daring Pursuit had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Winning Gold has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. If he can map handier from barrier 1, he will be hard to hold out. Young Horizon last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Good Good showed improvement at a recent trial.

Race 4: Stellar Express form is good and is getting close to a win. Third-up in Hong Kong now and he won’t have many excuses. Baby Crystal racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance to continue his winning ways now that he’s found his niche for the straight course. Pleasant Endeavor should be highly suited by the drop back in distance. Flying High has a better chance on this track and should run well. Northern Beaches never far away from the winner and could sneak a place in race like this.

Race 5: King Miles last run was better than it reads, as he was used up on the lead, and do not dismiss. With a better-timed ride, he should be hard to beat third-up. Enjoy Golf has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance first-up. Sea Sapphire go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. From barrier 3, he will give a good sight. Lucy In The Sky having second start and can improve with experience. Ace One unbeaten in this class and must be a big chance to improve here from barrier 2.

Race 6: Ka Ying Warrior comes out of a strong form race and looks suited to break through for his first career win here. Drawn perfectly in barrier 14 for the straight course and no excuses this week. Bowser last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again. Run Run Cool good performance when storming home for third place last start and is always dangerous in this class. Metro Warrior will win in this grade very soon. Ruby Sailing has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. The light weight helps.

Race 7: Lucky Touch debut run was good and has trained on well since. With race experience on his side, he can get the job done second-up. Super Highway has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Looks suited here from barrier 2. Super Legends can improve second-up from a break based on his prior good form. Golden Rise has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Super Charizzard has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race.

Race 8: Only a field of eight runners in this Class 2, but it’s a highly competitive race. Lucky Encounter nice four-year-old with a good chance here and 1200m looks his best distance. Raging Blizzard racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance if he brings his Happy Valley form back to Sha Tin. Gorgeous Win disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here as he may have not handled a rain-affected track. Drombeg Banner should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Atullibigeal form is good and must be rated a solid chance.

Race 9: Top Scorer resuming from a break and trialled well recently. He stands out as the form choice and is clearly the one to beat here. Sky Trust had genuine excuses last start as he lost ground at the start and consider again. He’s better than that run. The Absolute narrowly beaten last start and goes close here with luck in the run from barrier 12. Never Peter Out change of trainer recently and watch betting. Call Me Supreme well prepared for debut and watch the betting. Barrier 14 isn’t ideal but respect his chances.

Race 10: Karma video replay showed last run was very good after he was set a task in the run over the mile. He should be suited back in distance but will need to stay in touch early. Amazing Victory has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race, especially as he comes into a low draw. My Flying Angel having third start and may improve here. Aeroinvincible holding form with recent good trial and looks well place to improve on his last start. Helene Warrior improving and ran home powerfully last start.

Race 11: Wide-open race here and the speed map will prove vital as there could be a lot of pressure on. Winning Data every chance last start but still ran a good race. From barrier 1, he will get his chance to bounce back for a win. Sunstrider caught the eye last start when running home well. He will be suited by a fast-run race. Loyal Bo Bo rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Talents Ambition caught the eye last start when running home well. Holy Lake form is good and must be rated a solid chance.