Some of Hong Kong racing’s most powerful figures stole the show in January with champion jockey Zac Purton and a trio of top trainers striking elite form.

The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride.

Who’s hot?

Zac Purton hit overdrive in January, racking up 20 wins from 77 rides at a phenomenal strike rate of 26 per cent to extend his championship lead to 40 over nearest rival Hugh Bowman.

A five-timer at Sha Tin on January 11 was the highlight for Purton, who has moved to 1,949 career wins in Hong Kong as he approaches another major milestone.

Bowman was the next best with eight wins for the month, while Andrea Atzeni was also in top form with seven.

Three championship-winning trainers were at the top of their game in January, with Francis Lui Kin-wai and David Hayes both producing 10 winners.

Lui had a strong strike rate of 17 per cent and finished the month with nine winners from the past five meetings, while Hayes’ haul saw him jump to second in the title race – just one win behind Mark Newnham.

John Size was the other handler to have a big impact in January with nine winners as he creeps his way up the championship standings.

Who’s not?

Matthew Chadwick heads into Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting on a winless streak of 58 rides after coming up empty in January. His fortunes could swing quickly when he rides the classy Patch Of Cosmo in Sunday’s Classic Mile.

David Probert was also winless but as has been the case during his stint in the city, he was starved of genuine winning hopes. He has one last chance – So You Will in Sunday’s final race – to break through before finishing his contract.

All 22 trainers on the roster visited the winners’ enclosure in January, with David Hall managing the lowest return with just one winner.

Win of the month

He might have only won by a neck, but the story behind Patch Of Cosmo’s first-up success and Manfred Man Ka-leung’s exceptional training performance makes his victory the best of January.

Struck down by a tendon injury last March, the talented galloper returned 315 days later and overcame top weight of 135lb to make a late Classic Mile statement.

After settling one off in midfield, Purton hooked Patch Of Cosmo to the centre of the track on the turn and he kept on strongly to narrowly account for Aerodynamics.

Ride of the month

Luke Ferraris zigged and zagged in a brilliant and bold ride that delivered the goods on $68.85 roughie Young Emperor at Sha Tin.

Taken back to second last from gate 11, the David Eustace-trained gelding had to be angled back to the inside by Ferraris after briefly being held up for clear running at the top of the straight.

Ferraris speared Young Emperor through a tight gap on the inside rail to make a powerful run, before switching out and around the heels of leader Chill Buddy at the 100m.

Ferraris’ timing proved to be perfect, with Young Emperor nailing Chill Buddy in the nick of time by a short head.

Karis Teetan’s excellent ride on Storm Rider from gate nine in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) and Lyle Hewitson’s performance on Speed Dragon in the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) were also outstanding.