Newly minted Australian Hall of Fame jockey Zac Purton has revealed he will ride Golden Eagle winner Lake Forest in the King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day, where he rides odds-on favourite Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million feature.
Purton doesn’t want to be “out of mind, out of sight” when it comes to spring and is open to returning home more often for the right rides.
Purton was in the saddle as Ka Ying Rising made it 13 in a row at Sha Tin on Sunday and is delighted to get another leading hope at Randwick on October 18.
Lake Forest is currently $15 in betting markets.
“[Newmarket trainer] William Haggas gave me a call and booked me for the Golden Eagle winner [Lake Forest] in the King Charles, which is a good ride,” Purton said. “I’m going to try to get a few other rides on that day and would love to come back for the big days over spring.”
“I still want to ride and win the biggest races in Australia and would love to get back a couple of times in the spring.”
👏 @WilliamHaggas has done it again!
Lake Forest wins the $10 Million Golden Eagle with Cieren Fallon in the saddle!@aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/Hr3IR1vG2x
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2024
The eight-time champion rider of Hong Kong was happy with the way Ka Ying Rising put his rivals to the sword in the Chief Executive’s Cup, but knows his biggest test will come in the Everest.
“He’s come back in really good order. I said to David before the race that he just looks a different horse,” Purton said after the 2-1/4 length win over Lucky Sweynesse. “He’s furnished really nicely and that’s what we wanted before we get on the plane and go down to Sydney.”
Purton acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead for Ka Ying Rising.
“It is hard to match up the form from over here and over there,” he said. “We are going to the home of sprinter-milers in the world, we are very respectful of what we will face. “We know that we are going to (have to) be at our best to win The Everest.”
