Australian jockey Zac Purton could return to race riding next week pending clearance from Hong Kong Jockey Club officials.
Purton along with South African jockey Lyle Hewitson were cleared to resume trackwork from Thursday morning as part of their recovery process from injuries sustained when four horses fell in the HK$24m G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on December 12.
Purton and Hewitson will be further assessed after completing barrier trial commitments on Friday.
Should Purton pass the fitness test at the barrier trials to the satisfaction of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s chief medical officer, he will resume race riding as soon as the Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday, January 12.
Purton sustained fractures to his wrist, ribs, nose and foot after falling from Lucky Patch in the Hong Kong Sprint. He has missed eight Hong Kong meetings on the sidelines with great rival Joao Moreira seizing the opportunity to move seven wins clear in the local jockeys’ premiership.
– racing.com
