Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris have the lofty-sounding position of joint third-place on the current Hong Kong Jockeys log, but in reality the signs are there that in Joao Moreira’s absence Zak Purton might be in line for a record-breaking season.
Purton’s seven-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday took him twelve clear of second-placed CY Ho and 15 clear of Hewitson and Ferraris, who have each ridden six winners so far.
Moreira holds the record for the most winners in a Hong Kong season, 171.
The season has only been going for a month and Purton will be in line for a crack at that record if able to keep up his current strike rate of 26.58%.
The Australian Purton rode in all ten races on Sunday.
The remaining three races were all won by Harry Bentley.
Purton finished fourth in both of Bentley’s first two wins and when bidding to equal the Hong Kong record in the last race he could only manage fifth place.
The record is held by Moreira, who rode eight winners on March 5, 2017.
A number of riders around the world have ridden eight winners in a day.
On September 6, 2013, Brazilian-born Moreira rode eight winners from as many rides on a nine-race card at Kranji, Singapore; he was ineligible for the remaining race on the card, an apprentices’ event.
Moreira has only ridden in two meetings this season and will be out for three months after deciding to have treatment for hip pain caused by a condition called labral tear.
