Zac Purton - An Asset For Godolphin In Hong Kong Champions Mile

The booking of Australian jockey Zac Purton for Bow Creek in Sunday's G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin allows Godolphin to draw on a wealth of experience of the Hong Kong scene for one the most competitive races in the local calendar.

Trainer John O'Shea, who has been anxious to keep English import Bow Creek fully occupied during the Australian winter, had no hesitation in booking Purton, who will be having his first ride for Godolphin.

Entries for the Champions Mile have been received, not only from Hong Kong, but from Australia, Japan, and the UAE, with the latter sending another Godolphin contender, the Charlie Appleby-trained Safety Check.

Purton said he is greatly looking forward to riding Bow Creek in such an important race.

"It's the first time I have had the opportunity to ride in the Godolphin blue, and it's something I've always dreamed about. I think every jockey dreams to ride in these colours. It's going to be a special moment for me, and hopefully the first of many.

"Bow Creek ran a credible race when fifth to Winx in the G1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick (on April 2) on a very heavy track. He was baulked for a run at a crucial time, but once in the clear, he closed it off well.

"Usually that type of run isn't quite good enough to win the Champions Mile here, but getting back to a dry surface could see him improve sharply," the jockey pointed out.

The absence of Able Friend has sapped some of the interest out of the race but star Japanese miler Maurice, to be ridden by Joao Moreira, represents the best form. He won the Hong Kong Mile when ridden by Ryan Moore at the big International Races meeting last year.

"With Able Friend out, it does open it up a little but the presence of Maurice offsets that. He's had a terrific last 12 months -- he won here in December, so we know he likes the track, and now he has the added benefit of having raced here previously," Purton said.

The final field and barrier draw are scheduled to be published later this week for the feature, which carries a first prize of just over US$1 million (HK$7.98m).

Maurice (121) is the highest-rated officially, ahead of Hong Kong horses Contentment (119) and Great Treasure (119). Bow Creek (117) and Safety Check (116) are middle order in the field.

Purton, 33, has been one of Hong Kong's top flight jockeys for almost a decade. He moved to Hong Kong in 2007 after winning the Brisbane jockeys' title as an apprentice and then riding successfully in Sydney.

He was crowned Hong Kong champion in 2014, ending the 13-year reign of South African legend Douglas Whyte and becoming only the second jockey there to ride 100 winners in a season. He finished with 112.

He has ridden a G2 King's Stand Stakes winner (Little Bridge) at Royal Ascot and a G1 Caulfield Cup winner (Admire Rakti) in Melbourne, as well as numerous Hong Kong majors, including the G1 Derby (Luger).