Hong Kong's champion jockey Zac Purton won't have any problem getting a return flight into Sydney this weekend to ride at the iconic Derby-Doncaster Day meeting at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Purton wanted to ride in the Golden Slipper two weeks ago but was unable to book flights at relatively short notice.

But the superstar jockey had plenty of advance warning about Day One of The Championships and locked in his travel arrangements so he can ride at Randwick on Easter Saturday.

Purton, an Australian Hall of Famer, has rides in all the major races including for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes on Evaporate in the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m).

He has also been booked to ride NZ Derby hero Road To Paris in the Group 1 $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) and outstanding sprinter Giga Kick in the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).

Trainers Brett and Georgie Cavanough has secured Purton's services for new stable recruit Dr Hook in the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires (1400m) and Chidiac in the $1 million Country Championships Final (1400m).

"I won't have any trouble getting to Sydney this weekend,'' Purton said.

"The problem I had for the Golden Slipper was there was no flights available but I knew I was coming back for Randwick some weeks ago and had already booked my flights.''

Purton, who returns to Hong Kong to ride world champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Easter Monday, is chasing a fourth win in the Doncaster on Evaporate.

Since the Doncaster was first run in 1866, only three jockeys have had more success in the famous Randwick mile than Purton – Glen Boss with a record seven wins, and Jack Thompson and Jack Toohey who both won the race four times.

Purton is hoping to for another Doncaster success with Team Hayes after linking with them to win on Mr Brightside in 2023.

"I've had some luck in the Doncaster,'' Purton told Racing And Sports, recalling his previous wins on Mr Brightside, It's Somewhat (2017) and Sacred Falls (2014).

"Evaporate is a horse I've felt has always promised to deliver more than what he has so far.
"But I feel he is going better now than he has ever gone.

"He has to give away a lot of weight to those good three-year-olds, especially Sheza Alibi, but it is a race where he should be running well.''

Evaporate has been Group 1-placed four times during his career including his narrow loss to Tom Kitten in the All-Star Mile two starts back and he finished a close third to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle.

But Evaporate is a Randwick 1600m winner taking out the Carbine Club Stakes earlier in his career and is over the odds at $34 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting on the Doncaster.

In the Derby, Purton rides Road To Paris who also seems at generous odds of $11 after his last start NZ Derby win.

"I've had a good look at Road To Paris's replays and he is a bit of a quirky horse,'' Purton said.
"He has a tendency to run in late in his races, he's a real 'thinker', but he can stay.

"Hopefully, the speed is there to suit him in the Derby and no doubt he will be hitting the line strongly.''

The TJ Smith Stakes is being called the "Autumn Everest" with all nine sprinters having won at Group 1 level previously.

Giga Kick won The Everest in 2022 and his recent form suggests he is ready to add to his earnings which already has reached $14.9 million prizemoney.

Purton is chasing his first wins in the Derby and TJ Smith but he has chasing a third Sires on Dr Hook after winning on Yankee Rose (2016) and Excites (2008).

Dr Hook joins the Cavanough stables for the Sires and although the colt has been unplaced in all three runs, he's shown glimpses of ability including his competitive last start fifth to Grinzinger Heart in the VRC Sires.

Chidiac won her way into the Country Championships Final with an impressive win in the Muswellbrook heat.

Written by: Ray Thomas, International Editor of Racing and Sports

Photo: HKJC