War chaos grounds star jockeys for Slipper and Hong Kong Derby

Champion jockeys Zac Purton and James McDonald will not be travelling to Golden Slipper day and Hong Kong Derby meeting respectively because of a lack of seats on flights between Sydney and Hong Kong.

The majority of travel from Europe has been forced through Asia because of the Middle East war, meaning seats are at a premium.

Purton has already booked his flights for the first day of The Championships, where he rides Giga Kick in the TJ Smith and Evaporate in the Doncaster, but more crucially McDonald would miss the ride on superstar Romantic Warrior in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong.

Purton was going to come to Sydney to ride Pembrey in the Golden Slipper, but admitted he was little chance of getting here.

“There are no seats because of the war. I’m on a wait list, but I have to get there and get back on Saturday night for the Derby,” Purton said.

“It’s never been harder to get seats in and out of Hong Kong.”

McDonald had been booked for Seraph Gabriel in the Hong Kong Derby but pulled the pin on the trip on Monday.

In a twist of fate, it means Purton will have a Derby ride as he picked up Seraph Gabriel.

“I spoke to Dave Eustace and he said there was no way I was getting there,” McDonald said.

“I warmed up Pembrey for Zac and he can’t make it, but he gets my ride in the Derby now.”

“I’m going to ring him and say there is no such thing as a free lunch if he wins the Derby.”