A broken nose and a late scratching were not for what Ka Ying Victory’s connections were hoping when the two-year-old galloper first headed to the races, but jockey Zac Purton is quietly confident things will turn out better the second time around.

Poised to jump a hot favourite in the first Griffin race of the season on April 9, Ka Ying Victory “reared, struck his head on the overhead structure and then sat down” before stewards withdrew him.

“At that time, he was still a colt, and he had been a real handful in the gates. He’d been going in very late and getting out very quick [in his trials], so he was just in there too long. He ended up doing what he did and broke his nose, so I’m sure he had a headache afterwards,” Purton said.

Eight days after his Sha Tin mishap, the David Hall-trained Ka Ying Victory was gelded and – after a breather – he returned to the trials on June 9 with a comfortable victory under Purton over the all-weather 1,050m.

The youngster’s second attempt at debuting also comes in Griffin grade, and he meets previous winners Chancheng Glory and Kaholo Angel among nine rivals in the Wo Che Plate (1,000m).

“It was a pretty weak race that day. It was the first Griffin race, so it was hard to know where any of the horses were at. But he’s trialled OK since, and he’s been gelded, so he’s a bit quieter now and a bit easier to manage,” Purton said.

“Hopefully, he’s on his best behaviour. He’s drawn the wrong side of the track – it’s not going to be easy from there – and the other horses are race fit, so it’s a harder job this time than it was going to be, but it’s just nice to have him at the races.”

Three of Purton’s 10 rides at Sha Tin on Sunday come for the in-form Hall, who landed a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Swiss Ace three-year-old Fast Serve was among Hall’s midweek winners, and Purton jumps aboard another of the sire’s progeny whose name takes inspiration from the great Roger Federer.

Flying Ace is chasing a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle in the Class Three Lung Hang Handicap (1,200m), and Purton takes the reins for the first time in the absence of the suspended Hugh Bowman.

After reeling off four consecutive successes to begin his career, lameness issues halted Flying Ace’s progress, and he was last a winner in March 2022.

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He then ran fifth in October after more than seven months on the sidelines before another extended break made way for thirds on May 13 and June 4.

“He’s had a couple of runs now so he’s a bit fitter, but the barrier draw for him makes things very hard, especially with the weight. He’s going to need some luck,” Purton said of Flying Ace, who jumps from gate 11 with 134 pounds on his back.

Purton and Hall also team up with Flying Mojito in the Class Four Sun Tin Wai Handicap (1,600m). Flying Mojito has had three starts under Purton for one win and two minor placings.