Hong Kong based star jockeys Zac Purton and Douglas Whyte will highlight the international flavour of Saturday's racing at Caulfield (in Melbourne) when they ride in the A$3 million G1 Caulfield Cup.
Frenchman Christophe Lemaire and the the Singapore based Australian Corey Brown also fly in for the big race and the Cup field boasts six overseas trained runners but it's the appearance of the Hong Kong superstars which has generated the most excitement.
Purton takes the ride on the Japanese topweight Admire Rakti and he rode the horse in work last week when he came to Melbourne for the G1 Caulfield Stakes. “He gave me a really good feel and I'm very happy to be on him,” Purton said.
Whyte will partner Junoob for the all-conquering Chris Waller stable. Whyte has often resisted overtures to come to Melbourne and Waller is delighted to have his services. “He's a great jockey. His record speaks for itself,” Waller said.
Big Memory's trainer Tony McEvoy is similarly pleased to have lured Brown from Singapore. “He is a big-time jockey, he can make the weight 115lb without wasting and he'll suit the horse. It's great to have him on board,” McEvoy said.
Lemaire, who won the 2011 Melbourne Cup on Dunaden at his first Flemington ride, will attempt to secure another international win for Japan when he rides Bande in the Cup.
The Turnbull Stakes winner Lucia Valentina, trained by Kris Lees and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, is the favourite for the Caulfield Cup with Bande, Dandino, Admire Rakti and Junoob the next four in the betting order.
Melbourne Racing Club Chairman Mike Symons said it was a 'huge coup' for his club to have the two jockeys from Hong Kong.
“We have forged a strong relationship with the Hong Kong Jockey Club which we value and we certainly thank them (the HKJC) for releasing the jockeys to ride at our number one race meeting,” Symons said.
As a result of a change of race order, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast the Caulfield Sprint (G2 1100m) on 18 October instead of the Tristarc Stakes as announced on 13 October. The first race on Caulfield Cup Day now starts at 1:20pm.
