Lady’s Choice was a significant winner for high-flying rider Zac Purton and struggling trainer Michael Chang Chun-wai at Sha Tin on Saturday.

The three-year-old galloper, well backed and sent off the $2.90 favourite, had to fight hard to beat Call Me Dandy by a head in the Class Four Hong Kong Riding Association For The Disabled Cup (1,200m).

Lady’s Choice was Purton’s landmark 150th winner this term as the perennial champion jockey fast approaches Joao Moreira’s single-season record of 170 victories in a campaign, which the Brazilian rider achieved in 2016-17.

Hitting the 150 mark for only the second time – he registered 168 wins in 2018-19 – Purton is not getting carried away as he chases history.

“It’s a nice milestone,” Purton said. “It’s been an OK season.

I’ve just got to keep going, and hopefully, get more wins.”

With 10 meetings remaining, Purton needs 20 more wins to match Moreira and an additional 21 victories to surpass his Brazilian rival after Lady’s Choice was the Australian superstar’s only winner from his book of nine Sha Tin rides.

While Purton is eyeing championships and records, Chang is looking to keep his head above water.

Lady’s Choice’s success means Chang requires two more victories in races graded higher than Class Five to avoid receiving his third strike for failing to meet the Jockey Club’s criteria for trainer performance.

You would expect most handlers in that predicament to display signs of stress, but Chang remains calm because he possesses faith in his ability.

“Honestly, I’m always confident, and I never question myself,” Chang said.

“You give me a good horse, and I can train.”

It also helps when you receive expert advice from the best jockey, with Chang revealing Purton had advised him to drop Lady’s Choice in trip.

“The jockey gave Lady’s Choice the perfect ride,” Chang said.

“After the last run, he suggested 1,400m was a little too far for the horse. Even today, he got out in the straight and let him sprint the last 400 metres, and the jockey said he just got there.”

Chang hopes he will not have to wait too long to register another triumph and thinks he may visit the winner’s enclosure at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

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“I have two runners on Wednesday, and Born The Same Day has got a good chance in the Class Four over 1,800m,” Chang said.

“I’ll probably enter six for Sunday, and also have a couple of chances then.”

Chang, a licensed trainer since 2005-06 and the first Hong Kong handler to win a race in North America, issued an update regarding some of his stable’s most talented gallopers.

“Ching, Lost Child and Smart Folks should all run again. Ching has won four races this season, and I’m setting him for a race on July 1. He’s a very consistent horse,” Chang said.