Purton planned to get on a Japanese stayer earlier in the year. 

Admire Rakti’s owner, Riichi Kondo, obliged, and Purton repaid his faith with the ride he needed to win.

It was ugly by Australian standards –  three-wide throughout –  but the result was sweet.

Purton is a long-time friend of Mount Isa jockey Dan Ballard, who can’t speak highly enough of the Caulfield Cup winner. 

“My judgment might be a little biased but I honestly believe that Zac is in the conversation for the strongest jockey in the world currently,” Ballard said.

“Not only was he the first person this millennium to break the  Douglas Whyte stranglehold on the Hong Kong jockey premiership, he came within two wins of breaking his record.

“All the hard work and dedication he put in over the years is finally starting to pay huge dividends for him.

Ballard and Purton met back in 2002 when Ballard was on loan in the Gold Coast with trainer Trevor Whittington.

“While I was with Trevor for a three-month period, Zac was an apprentice with trainer John Wallace,” Ballard said.

“As I didn’t have a car or licence, we often shared lifts to the track, and that’s how our strong friendship started.

“Despite him living on Hong Kong with his wife for the past seven or so years, we try and chat each week.

“On top of watching replays of his rides, I’ve visited him in Hong Kong and plan to again in the future, once I save some more money.”

Ballard is extremely confident that    Purton can claim the biggest trophy in Australia’s racing calendar, the Melbourne Cup.

“If I had my pick of any of the horses qualified for the Melbourne Cup, you couldn’t go past Admire Rakti,” he said.

“Japanese horses tend to appreciate galloping room, and I think the Melbourne Cup  will suit him perfectly.”

Purton has had a sensational year, winning the Doncaster on Sacred Falls and the Hong Kong jockeys title, but the Caulfield Cup was special because of what he did to get it.

‘‘I went to Japan to specifically get a ride in the Melbourne Cup because I knew they were starting to come back,’’ Purton said. ‘‘It has worked out well but it is not over yet. We still have the big one to go.

‘‘It is great to win this race for Japan for the first time.

 ‘‘His second run is always his best, so we go forward to the Melbourne Cup.’’

  Admire Rakti is open to a penalty but Purton doesn’t believe it is warranted.

‘‘He already has 58 kilograms and I don’t think he needs one because he has enough weight already,’’ Purton said. 

‘‘It is different getting a penalty with a horse that has 53kg than one with top weight.’’