Zac Purton, one of Hong Kong racing’s leading jockeys, finds himself in the saddle of Silver Sonic for the upcoming Class Three Pak Tam Au Handicap at Happy Valley. This opportunity arises due to the enforced absences of the gelding’s regular jockeys, Harry Bentley and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, both sidelined due to suspensions. This turn of events brings Purton together with trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai, a collaboration that has been less frequent but notably profitable in the racing circuit.
The partnership between Purton and Lui has been statistically successful over the past few seasons, yielding a positive return on investment and a commendable win rate. Their recent success is largely credited to Silver Sonic, a horse that Purton steered to victory in the International Jockeys’ Championship, demonstrating impressive form and potential.
Trainer Lui speaks highly of Silver Sonic, emphasizing the horse’s need for optimal racing conditions and the importance of a comfortable journey during the race. With the favorable gate two draw, Silver Sonic is expected to have an advantageous position, close to the rail, which should suit his racing style.
In their upcoming race, Silver Sonic faces competition from six familiar rivals from the International Jockeys’ Championship and runs against Tourbillon Prince, another last-start winner. Although carrying a significant weight for the first time in Hong Kong, Silver Sonic has previously shown the capability to handle such a load in his Australian races.
Apart from Silver Sonic, Purton and Lui will also collaborate on High Rise Soldier in the second section of the Class Four Pat Sin Leng Handicap (1,200m). High Rise Soldier, a horse with a history of success at Happy Valley, has seen a dip in form lately. Despite the challenging gate 11, the combination of Purton’s skill and Lui’s training might provide the necessary edge for a comeback.
With Lui closing the gap in the trainers’ championship and Purton’s consistent performance, this partnership at Happy Valley’s final meeting of the year is highly anticipated. Lui fields six runners, while Purton has a total of seven rides on the card, setting the stage for a potentially exciting and competitive racing event.
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