Zac Purton is used to rewriting the record books and he’s got one of Hong Kong racing’s most significant marks in sight this season, but the superstar Australian will have to make history as soon as this Sunday if he is to snare Sha Tin’s opening day feature.

No horse has won the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) carrying more than 130 pounds, something Purton’s mount Ka Ying Rising will have to change if he is to extend his winning streak to five.

“I do see it being a bit tough for him,” Purton said of exciting David Hayes-trained speedster Ka Ying Rising, who must lug 135 pounds against nine rivals – including Flying Ace – on Sunday.

“He’s only an early four-year-old and he’s got to carry top weight off the back of one soft trial against all these horses. History tells us that horses can’t carry top weight and win the race. It’s not an easy thing to do.

“He’s got a task ahead of him but he’s a nice horse and he’s got to start somewhere. Hopefully things go his way and he can try and prove himself.”

Ka Ying Rising is one of the reasons Purton is excited heading into the 2024-25 campaign, as are his Group One Champions Mile winner Beauty Eternal and the hunt for an eighth jockeys’ premiership – and fourth on the bounce.

“He’s a nice horse. You always want something nice coming through the grades and he’s that, so he gives me something to look forward to,” Purton said of Ka Ying Rising.

Then there’s Douglas Whyte’s all-time win record for a jockey in Hong Kong of 1,813, which sits only 73 victories from Purton’s grasp.

For a jockey who hasn’t dipped below 100 winners in a season since 2015-16, the record is a mere formality this campaign if Purton stays in the saddle.

At his most prolific, the 41-year-old would have had the 73 winners in the bag before the halfway mark of the campaign. Now, with his output slowing somewhat, maybe March is realistic.

“I’m just looking forward to getting on some nice horses, riding as many winners as I can and enjoying the season,” he said.

“It’s just the same as every season. Hopefully, the owners and trainers support me. If they do, I’ll have a nice season.”

Purton’s injury struggles have been well documented over the years and some of his niggles will never really go away until he retires, if at all.

But while he won’t ride below 128 pounds on Sunday, he says he’s happy with his weight and his fitness after enjoying his off-season in Europe.

“It’s been brutal out there in that heat trying to get fit, get the weight back down and prepare for the new season,” Purton said.

“I’ve been pushing myself hard to get back into shape and lose weight after the off-season, but my weight is good, I feel fit and all the hard work has been done now.

“I’ve been waiting these past few days to go back into battle again and to get the ball rolling.”

Ka Ying Rising isn’t the only galloper among Purton’s nine rides with the potential to climb further up the ratings, with Fast Network, Fighting Machine, Master Mastermind and Gorgeous Win all looking to have points in hand.