Purton set to return for Qld Derby tilt

Tuesday 3 June 2014, 6:30pm

Zac Purton has already had a season to remember and can add another highlight at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Purton, who on Sunday became only the second jockey in history to have ridden 100 winners in a Hong Kong season, is booked to ride New Zealand filly Rock Diva in the Group One Queensland Derby.

The winner of the 2002/03 Brisbane premiership, Purton has yet to ride a Group One winner in Queensland.

Rock Diva had the widest barrier and came from second last to finish fourth in last Saturday's Group One Queensland Oaks when ridden by Tye Angland.

Rock Diva's trainer Tony Pike is expected to confirm a Derby start for Rock Diva when acceptances for the 2400m Classic are taken.

"I'll make that decision in the morning," Pike said.

"She seems to have pulled up pretty well. Obviously it's a big ask backing a filly up a week later against the boys but there's not much left for her now and there's not much left for her at home in the spring as a four-year-old mare.

"So as long as I'm happy with her in the morning we'll back her up in the Derby and then she'll head home for a nice, long spell."

Purton has had success for the Raffles Racing, the owners of Rock Diva, having ridden Sacred Falls to victory in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April.

After a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday, Purton maintains a 15-win premiership lead over Joao Moreira with 10 meetings left in the Hong Kong season. He is 20 wins ahead of 13-time champion Douglas Whyte, the only other jockey to ride 100 winners.

– AAP

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