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Topic / Zac Purton

Trainer David Hayes (right) celebrates Ka Ying Rising’s Centenary Sprint Cup blitz last month. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Extra pressure no concern for David Hayes as Ka Ying Rising bids for record-breaking 18th straight win

The world’s best sprinter is poised to create more history on Sunday when he aims to break Silent Witness’ Hong Kong benchmark

20 Feb 2026

Seraph Gabriel in action in a recent Sha Tin trial. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Who wins at Sha Tin? Gabriel to sprout wings en route to Hong Kong Derby

18 Feb 2026 - 10:00 PM

Ka Ying Rising wins a barrier trial at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Ka Ying Rising wins barrier trial ‘as you’d expect’ as David Hayes looks to continue hot streak

10 Feb 2026 - 11:33 AM

Zac Purton will again ride Sagacious Life in the Classic Cup. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Purton sticks with Sagacious Life, while Improvement settles in well in Saudi

9 Feb 2026 - 5:30 PM

Max Que cruises to victory under Zac Purton last start. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Mark Newnham fancies Happy Valley pair in bid to extend trainers’ championship lead

9 Feb 2026 - 2:34 PM

Francis Lui celebrates a treble at Sha Tin last month. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Francis Lui puts faith in Speed Dragon and Chancheng Glory to continue purple patch

5 Feb 2026 - 6:29 PM

Ka Ying Rising cruises to victory under Zac Purton in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

The state of play as the Hong Kong racing season approaches halfway point

5 Feb 2026 - 3:05 PM

Little Paradise storms home to claim the Classic Mile. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Is Classic Mile hero Little Paradise the next big thing in Hong Kong racing?

2 Feb 2026 - 8:11 PM

John Size had another Sunday to remember at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

John Size slams in Sha Tin treble as his midseason renaissance picks up more steam

1 Feb 2026 - 7:38 PM

Little Paradise storms clear to win the Classic Mile under Vincent Ho. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Little Paradise stamps himself as a rising star with breathtaking Classic Mile romp

1 Feb 2026 - 6:58 PM

Sagacious Life surges to victory under Zac Purton. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Ng bullish about Sagacious Life in Classic Mile: ‘he seems to have improved’

31 Jan 2026 - 4:53 PM

Trainer Francis Lui and jockey Zac Purton were in outstanding form in January. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

The Hong Kong Racing Postscript: who’s hot, who’s not and the best of January

29 Jan 2026 - 10:00 PM

Hong Kong’s Clarissa Lyra, seen here in the Longines Stakes race at last year’s show, will be back this year. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong racing

World’s best equestrians back in town for Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show

29 Jan 2026 - 9:00 PM

Mark Newnham is hoping his four strong group can get the job done at Sha Tin. Photo: Kenneth Chan.

Hong Kong racing

Newnham mob-handed as he goes for back-to-back Classic Mile wins at Sha Tin

29 Jan 2026 - 3:45 PM

Trainer David Hayes celebrates his 700th Hong Kong victory with jockey Keith Yeung Ming-lun. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

In-form David Hayes rings up 700th Hong Kong win in emotional Happy Valley double

28 Jan 2026 - 11:39 PM

Matthew Chadwick gives Patch Of Cosmo a pat after his Sha Tin victory last March. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Chadwick excited to reunite with Cosmo in Mile: ‘he’ll be in with a shout’

26 Jan 2026 - 3:30 PM

Fans gathered for the sixth race of the day, holding up homemade banners, paintings and flags in support. Photo: Stephy Zhang

Hong Kong racing

Chance to see Ka Ying Rising make history the main bet for local fans at Sha Tin

25 Jan 2026 - 11:00 PM

Ka Ying Rising wins at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Hong Kong racing

Champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising blitzes rivals again to match Silent Witness’ record 17 straight wins

25 Jan 2026 - 6:13 PM

Topic / Zac Purton

Zac Purton

Jay started his career as a cadet journalist for the Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper in Western Australia in 2008 before joining The West Australian newspaper, where he covered racing, Australian football and other sports for more than 15 years. He joined the SCMP racing team in 2024.