Zac Purton continues his pursuit of history at Sha Tin on Sunday as John Size – who is bidding for a record 12th Hong Kong trainers’ championship – hopes Courier Wonder’s consistency will be rewarded when the sprinter tackles the Class 1 Swaine Cup Handicap (1200m).
With a career-high 169 wins from 688 rides for the season, Purton requires only one more win to equal Joao Moreira’s single-season record of 170 wins from 710 mounts in 2016/17. The Australian posted his 1,600th Hong Kong win on Thursday night (6 July) with only Douglas Whyte (1,813) amassing more victories in Hong Kong.
Purton has three meetings left this season in which to extend his 76-win buffer over Vincent Ho (93) as Size strives to seal the 2022/23 trainers’ championship after a tussle with reigning champion and former protégé Frankie Lor.
Holding a 10-win buffer over Lor – 74-64 – with 31 races left in the season, Size is optimistic Courier Wonder can enhance his title aspirations with victory.
Winless in 14 starts since stringing together five consecutive victories in an outstanding debut season when he was acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Most Improved Horse in 2020/21, Courier Wonder has twice been placed at Group 1 level without breaking through.
Courier Wonder will carry 61.5kg under Hugh Bowman on Sunday when he faces only five rivals – Duke Wai, Master Eight, Rewarding Together, Ima Single Man and Adios.
“He (Courier Wonder) is just at that level where it’s difficult for him to win a race, but in the handicap conditions – even though he carries a heavy weight – that’s probably his best chance of winning one,” Size said.
“He probably went close one other day (second to Duke Wai on 5 March) when he carried a heavy weight (135lb). I think his condition is good. He looks fine. He hasn’t been over-taxed with racing as far as we know and I think he’s still got another good run in him.
“Small fields are always very tricky but I think there’s enough pace in this race to give him a chance.”
Duke Wai will have his 11th start this season on Sunday for Pierre Ng, who hopes the seven-year-old can again contend strongly.
“He’s been doing very well this season, travelling to Dubai and coming back. We decided to give him one more run before the break due to the small field and this time we’ve got Zac on him and that will help him jump a little faster and get him into a good position and finish off well,” Ng said.
“He’s in very good condition, he’s freshened up and he’s trialled well last week, so hopefully we get the result – he’s a lovely horse to train and I can see that he still wants to do it. Hopefully, next season, we can do a little bit more.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Ka Ying Victory created a huge impression on debut, winning smartly and with plenty in hand, and looks to have above aver- age potential. He should be winning again as the 1200m should be ideal. Super Bonus a last start winner who trialled well since and can test the favourite. Chancheng Glory nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance from pole position. Ruby Sailing showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight on debut, checking in second place. Holy Lake holding form with recent trial and can run well.
Race 2: Courier Wonder finally strikes a race where he can win. Much easier than recent contests and Bowman gets barrier 1, from where he should be hard to beat. Adios turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second place. The light weight and barrier 2 should provide an edge. Duke Wai resuming from a break and won a recent trial. Has to go close with Purton in the saddle. Rewarding Together finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Master Eight has not won for a long time but could surprise in a race of this nature.
Race 3: A wide-open Class 5 race with plenty of chances. General Winner good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Still a maiden, but is knocking on the door. Superb Daddy was an easy last start winner and could repeat the dose. Brilliant Pioneer drops down in grade and start following with Purton in the plate. Surrealism down in class here and can surprise on best form. Lucky Missile should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he has drawn nicely low.
Race 4: Endeared caught the eye flashing home late, nice effort and no surprises to see Purton jump in the saddle now. Hero Icon has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, he’s ready. Noble One good performance when storming home for third place last start. Another who is getting close to victory. Champion Instinct important gear change with blinkers being added, expect improvement. Team Spirit will be suited by the rise in distance and can bounce back anytime at this level.
Race 5: Round The Globe improving type and getting close to a win. HE will get all the favours from barrier 1. Go Hero having second start and can improve with experience after he was slow to begin on debut but was only narrowly beaten into fourth place. Easy Snip generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Magic Supreme has a top jockey in the saddle (Purton) and that will help. Noble Pursuit well prepared for debut and is worth considering. He has shown ability in his work.
Race 6: Raging Blizzard has trialled well for debut for the John Size yard and should be rated a winning chance in race that lacks depth. Happy Soul is the main danger. Good performance when storming home for third place last start. First-up here and has drawn well low in barrier 1 where he will map with every chance. Sweet Briar last start winner who remains in the same grade. Commanding Missile last start winner who retains good form and can run well again. Super Winner can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Keep safe.
Race 7: Golden Samurai good performance when storming home into second to up-and-comer Packing Bole last time. He can bounce back for a win. Lost Child blinkers have been added and must be a big chance to improve. Light Of Wanshi change of trainer recently and watch betting. Barrier 1 should provide the right run. Ho Ho Star finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is improving. Purton takes the ride third-up here. One Heart One important gear change with blinkers being added, and his recent starting prices have to be respected.
Race 8: Interesting race with plenty who are on winnable marks. Sakewin can run in a race like this with a safe beginning after he took no part last start. Has since won a trial easily and barrier 2 could see him give a big sight here. Ragnarr has trialled well enough for debut and should be rated a chance. Worth noting, he has been tardy out of the gates in some of his trials. Call Me Dandy comes out of a strong form race and looks suited here. Self Improvement caught wide last start and still ran well. Drops Of God will be suite by the rise in distance and can run well.
Race 9: Flying Mojito consistent performer of late and worth considering again. The form choice, he is the one to beat. Chilli Baba finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is nearing another win. War Weapon has a chance based on past form in this class of race, have to consider. Lucky Eternity recent runs have been encouraging and can run well at a price. Prince Alex has finished close up recently and can run well now that he has dropped plenty in the ratings.
Race 10: Helios Express scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following. He is a horse on the up and should be making light work of this week’s rivals. Ace One turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second place and he is back in form. Tomodachi Kokoroe best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. He has early speed and can run well. Euro Rocks had excuses last start, leading too quick first-up over 1400m, and give another chance. Seizing The Moment video replay showed last run was very good.
Race 11: Silver Sonic improving type and getting close to a win. Barrier 1 should see him map a chance. Setanta form is good, winning two starts ago and backing it up with a second place, and must be rated a solid chance. Romantic Charm fresh up from a break and should run well. Noble Win good performance when storming home for third place last start. The wide draw could prove awkward however. Family Folks can bounce back anytime this class.
