Zac Purton’s campaign to win a sixth Hong Kong Jockeys Championship started yesterday with a treble at Sha Tin on the opening day of the new season.
Both Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris had disappointing respective days.
They both had blanks with two third places for Hewitson being the best they could muster between them.
However, Karis Teetan scored a double to take early second place in the championship.
Purton’s perennial rival Joao Moreira did not ride at the meeting and will not ride on Wednesday either.
He returned to Hong Kong late for more treatment on an undisclosed injury.
This will be the tenth season of Purton and Moreira’s intense rivalry.
Purton leads five championships to four.
However, those on the ground in Hong Kong are convinced either Purton or Moreira will decide to leave before the end of season.
The harsh Covid restrictions placed on jockeys last season took its toll.
It will spell the end of an era if either of them do leave.