Zac Purton will be looking to extend his lead in the title race at Sha Tin on Sunday after the Jockey Club announced the six-time champion rider will take some time away from the track in the new year.

The Jockey Club stated Purton, who registered his record-extending 11th Hong Kong International Races success aboard Lucky Sweynesse in Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), will miss three meetings in early January.

“Management has agreed to a request submitted by Zac Purton for leave of absence from Hong Kong between 2 and 12 January 2024, both dates inclusive,” Jockey Club licensing committee secretary Terry Bailey said.

“Accordingly, Purton will not be available to accept race-riding engagements for the race meetings scheduled on 4, 7 and 10 January 2024.”

Sitting at the championship summit on 39 victories, Purton holds a 13-win advantage over his nearest pursuer, Karis Teetan, and boasts a stellar book of nine rides this weekend.

Arguably, the pick of Purton’s winning chances is David Hall-trained sprinter Invincible Sage in the Class Two Lukfook Jewellery Cup (1,000m), with Purton jumping aboard the youngster because his regular rider, Hugh Bowman, is on the sidelines.

Unbeaten this season, Invincible Sage has produced blistering turns of foot to overcome interrupted passages in both of his starts this term. Purton believes the exciting speedster is ready for his foray into Class Two company.

“He’s a talented horse, and he’s up in grade but down in weight. It’s an interesting race, but if he continues to race the way he has been, then he’s going to give it a good go,” Purton said.

“I trialled him on the dirt, and he did what he had to do. I did ride him in one piece of work, and he’s quite an eager horse. He was a bit fresh and wanted to get on with it, but he seemed to move well, and it looks like he’s in good shape.”

A three-time winner from seven Australian appearances, Invincible Sage failed to get on the board in his three local starts last season before resuming in style with victory in the Class Three Hong Kong China’s Asian Games Medallists Cup (1,000m) on October 22.

It was a similar story three weeks later when Invincible Sage defied his 135-pound impost in the Class Three Panasonic 4KTV Handicap (1,000m), leaving Hall full of praise for the son of Thronum.

“He gave away a bit of a start last time and was in a tricky spot for a while, but he got himself out of trouble, which good horses can do,” Hall said. “He’s two from two, and he’s ready. It’s a straight track 1,000m again, so let’s see what he’s made of.”

After recording impressive back-to-back successes, Hall handed Invincible Sage an early entry into last weekend’s Hong Kong Sprint but believed a patient approach would be more suitable for the lightly raced galloper.

“He’s done what he’s had to do, and he’s ready to go back to the races,” Hall said. “It’s good that the programme has allowed that, and he’s got this Class Two over 1,000m to do it,” Hall said.

Purton and Hall are yet to team up for a win this term despite 13 attempts. They will be hoping for a change of fortune when they also combine with Ka Ying Victory in the Class Three Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap (1,200m).

“He’s a young horse coming out of Griffin company,” Purton said. “It’s a big jump to go from those races into open-age Class Threes, but he’s been given time, and his trials have been decent. It’s time to go back to the races and see what he can do.”

Aiming to keep his unbeaten record intact, Hall admits Ka Ying Victory faces a tough assignment on his first appearance since his commanding win in July’s Purves Quaich Plate (1,200m).

“He’s a three-year-old running in a Class Three and coming out of Griffin form, so it can be a bit questionable,” Hall said. “It looks a strong race, so it will be interesting to see what he can do.”