Zac Purton has spoken of how highly he rates superstar Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), saying if he goes to another level this campaign ‘he starts to get himself up into the Black Caviar territory’.
The current odds-on favourite for The Everest, who has won his past 12 starts including four at Group One level, will return in September’s Chief Executive Cup, a race he won with ease last year.
From there, there’s no easy path to the $20 million contest in Sydney, but Purton believes the David Hayes-trained star is more than capable of getting the job done regardless.
“We’re really looking forward to coming down to Australia,” Purton said.
“Although it’s not going to be the ideal preparation to get him there, hopefully we can get there in good enough form for him to be competitive.
“He’s coming back now off the back of a break as a five-year-old, he could improve yet again. If he does, he starts to get himself up into the Black Caviar territory and that’d be amazing.”
The superstar hoop was recently announced as an inductee to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame but he will miss the ceremony in order to keep an eye on Ka Ying Rising.
This year’s ceremony will fittingly be held on August 31 in Brisbane, where Purton made a name for himself as one of Australia’s leading jockeys, however, the it clashes with a planned trial for Ka Ying Rising during the Hong Kong Owners’ Carnival, which Purton plans to be part of.
“Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to make the ceremony,” he said.
“We have the Owners’ Carnival here at Hong Kong on the Saturday night and Ka Ying Rising is going to be trialling.
“It’s probably more important that I’m here to make sure his preparation is going smoothly, because he’ll have his first start (of the campaign) in Hong Kong the following Sunday.
“There’s a flight that leaves to Brisbane at midnight every night of the week, except the one I need it … I would’ve loved to be there, but the world’s best sprinter probably comes first.”
Purton was announced alongside trainer Peter Moody and broadcaster John Tapp OAM as the latest inductees to the Hall of Fame, becoming just the 44th jockey in the ranks.
“It’s very special, it was great to get the news,” he said.
“I probably didn’t quite understand the gravity of it at the time but since I’ve received the messages and calls and done a little bit more research, it’s a very tight list.
“It makes me feel very honoured to be recognised by my peers and be put in that illustrious list, it’s probably the highest accolade I’ve received in my career.”