Hong Kong based jockey Zac Purton will make another flying to Sydney on Saturday week to ride Sebring Sun in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
Zac Purton will ride Sebring Sun, above, in the Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Purton, who was the premier jockey for the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the 2013 – 2014 racing season, makes regular trips back to Australia to ride in the major Carnivals and has had plenty of Group 1 success.
Purton combined with trainer Chris Waller to win the 2014 Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) and the 2014 Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) both at Randwick on Sacred Falls.
He also scored a sensational last to first win on the Japanese trained Admire Raki in the 2014 Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.
Trainer Gary Portellli decided to chase Purton to ride Sebring Sun in the Golden Rose Stakes after his last jockey Hugh Bowman was suspended for careless riding at Rosehill last Saturday and will be on the sideline on Golden Rose day.
“Zac has a history of coming to Sydney for successful hit and run missions,” Portelli told Racenet.
“His riding style should suit the racing style of Sebring Sun. The horse is 100 percent and ready to go.”
Portelli always held a high opinion of Sebring Sun during his juvenile year and he realised that potential with a win at his last start as a two year old in a 1200m Canterbury maiden on July 29 with Bowman aboard.
Sebring Sun then made it two wins on the trot with a one length victory for Brenton Avdulla in the Listed $100,000 The Rosebud (1200m) at Randwick on August 8 before running third with Bowman again to Shards in the Group 3 $125,000 Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on August 22.
In early Golden Rose Stakes betting with Ladbrokes.com.au, Sebring Sun is listed as a $17 chance alongside of Shards and the Chris Waller trained Japonisme.
Golden Slipper winner Vancouver heads the market at $3 ahead of last Saturday’s Run To The Rose winner Exosphere at $5, J.J. Atkins winner Press Statement at $6, smart Melbourne colt Ready For Victory at $10, Team Hawkes trained Rageese at $15 and Gai Waterhouse’s filly Speak Fondly at $16.
