Purton on edge of history as Sha Tin treble brings him to within 2 of 2,000

Zac Purton is on the verge of another slice of history after moving to within two wins of 2,000 in Hong Kong with a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Hopes were high for the eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey to become the first rider to reach 2,000 on Sunday after he won on each of his first three rides.

However, he came up empty from his remaining seven mounts, leaving him needing just two victories at Happy Valley on Wednesday night to create history.

“It was all right. I was hoping to ride one or two today, so three was better than expected,” Purton said.

Purton started the Group One meeting in a blaze of glory, winning the opening Class Five Standard Chartered Digital Assets Handicap (1,600m) on Flying Amani before claiming the second section of the Class Four Standard Chartered Sustainable Finance Handicap (1,400m) on Come Fast Fay Fay and the second section of the Class Four Standard Chartered Corporate & Investment Banking Handicap (1,200m) on Packing King.