Zac Purton ramped up his return from injury with a trial victory aboard Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on Friday morning.
Sidelined since February 9, after fracturing his left big toe in a race fall, Purton is on track to partner the superstar sprinter in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin on March 30.
Purton, who returned to riding trackwork on Thursday morning, said while he had not fully recovered, he was “a long way down the track”.
“I feel pretty good. I’m at the track riding work and riding trials because I feel like we can go again,” he added.
“I’m gearing up for a return next week unless I pick up a ride in the Derby.”
Perfect tune-up for Ka Ying Rising! 😏
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 21, 2025
The world's best sprinter is first across the line this morning at Sha Tin in his trial ahead of the likes of Sword Point, Helios Express and co. 🔥@zpurton | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/rqEvtLDNgS
Ka Ying Rising travelled sweetly in the 1,200m dirt trial, sitting outside leader Sword Point before coasting past him late.
“[Ka Ying Rising] just did what we expect from him this morning – he just keeps improving all the time,” Purton said of the three-time Group One winner.
“He seems to do it easier all the time. His mental attitude towards it, he seems to be handling it better all the time. He enjoyed himself. I’m looking forward to the races ahead.”
While Purton is all but certain to miss this Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) meeting, he expects to have a full book next weekend, including Galaxy Patch in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m).
One jockey who is riding in this weekend’s Derby is Hugh Bowman, but not before he jets to Australia for Saturday’s Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.
Bowman partners the Kris Lees-trained Rivellino in the Group One Golden Slipper (1,200m), while he also jumps aboard Celestial Legend for Hong Kong owner Boniface Ho Ka-kui in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1,500m) and Mazu in the Group One The Galaxy (1,100m).
