Purton played the role of friend and foe to Size as the handler chased his own milestone, a new record for wins by any trainer in a season. The current mark of 91 was set by Tony Cruz in the 2004/05 season, and Size entered Sunday’s meeting two adrift on 89.
Hot King Prawn, ridden by Zac Purton and trained by John Size, opened up for a big win in the Beijing Clubhouse Plate (1000m), picture Hong Kong Jockey Club
Purton and Size combined to win the Beijing Clubhouse Plate (1000m) with griffin Hot King Prawn (127lb) giving Size his 90th winner of the season and setting Purton on a course towards his four–timer.
“He’s had two soft wins against average opposition,” Purton said. “He’s still got a lot ahead of him, but he does everything right – he has good gate speed, he’s got a good head on him and he was prepared well. He gives you a nice feel but until they get put under pressure, that’s when you find what they are made of.”
“I think you’ve just seen the highlight for the day!” Size quipped after the Denman two-year-old produced an impressive five and three-quarter length triumph.
The trainer was right, at least with his own string; he drew a blank for the remainder of the card as a number of his well-fancied runners finished around the money without breaking through, setting up a potential challenge for the record at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (21 June) where he has six runners.
For Purton, the four winners inched him closer to his own personal goal of 100 wins for the season; he now sits on a total of 97 wins. The only time he has cracked the century before was in his championship-winning season in 2013/14, when he reached 111 wins.
“We were hoping we could have a day like that today,” Purton said. “I have had things against me the last couple of seasons, a couple of injuries, that have meant I haven’t been able to quite get to 100. This time, hopefully we can get there – today will help.”
