Purton Goes Back Aboard Dark Dream
Frankie Lor’s highly-rated Dark Dream will be ridden by Zac Purton in the Hong Kong Classic Cup this weekend.
Star jockey De Sousa took over Dark Dream’s reins from Purton in December for a commanding Class 2 win over 2000m, the Australian having ridden the gelding on debut. But true to Hong Kong’s reputation for ruthless competition, the Brazilian has paid the price for failing to hit the frame behind stablemate Furore in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
With the man from São Francisco do Maranhão booked for the promising ratings-riser Ho Ho Khan, Purton is looking forward to getting reacquainted with the high-profile import, winner of last year’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2200m).
Dark Dream closed to finish two and three-quarter lengths behind the sail-away winner Furore. The Lor duo head into round two equal top-rated on 104 and as the lead protagonists on the road to the three-race series finale, the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 17 March.
The rider is also confident that the step up to 1800m will suit a horse who has registered three of his five career wins at 2000m or farther.
De Sousa, too, is hoping for a good pace for the David Hall-trained Ho Ho Khan who heads into the contest off a hat-trick of course and distance wins. The new partnership had a dry run in a Happy Valley barrier trial on 9 February, galloping on well enough for fifth over an inadequate 1200m.
Vincent Ho has ridden Ho Ho Khan to each of his three wins but sticks with Ka Ying Star, having ridden the Tony Cruz-trained gelding to place third in the Classic Mile last time.
Credit: HKJC