Zac Purton is savouring his second Hong Kong jockeys' premiership
Australian jockey Zac Purton is savouring his second Hong Kong jockeys’ premiership after prevailing in an enthralling battle with Joao Moreira.
Purton clinched the premiership at Sha Tin at the final meeting of the season on Sunday, breaking Moreira’s run of three consecutive Hong Kong titles in the Brazilian’s final season there before he takes up a contract in Japan.
Purton claimed his first title in 2013/14 and finished 2017/18 with 136 wins to defeat Moreira by two.
“I feel exhausted, to be honest,” Purton told RSN927.
“It’s been a long season. I’ve had the wait of expectation on my shoulders for quite a bit of time now.
“Every minute of every day, every decision I made was always going to count.
“Every time an owner and a trainer asked me for a ride, you’ve always got to think ‘is it the right one. Should I wait for different one’. The pressure is on for the entirety of the season.
“It’s been a long season. It’s one that I’ve enjoyed, but I must say I’m glad it’s finally over.”
The last race on the Sha Tin card was a fitting finale with 13-time champion jockey Douglas Whyte beating Moreira and Purton to showcase the three riders to have won the title this century..
