Emerging New Zealand filly Rock Diva will be ridden by Zac Purton in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Queensland Derby (2400m). Purton will fly back to Australia from his base in Hong Kong for Saturday’s triple Group 1 meeting at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
Rock Diva is an impressive filly who has charged home at both of her Australian starts.
She finished sixth in the Doomben Roses before again making up a huge amount of ground when fourth in the Queensland Oaks last Saturday, after drawing off the track.
Purton, fresh from a winning treble at Sha Tin in Hong Kong yesterday, is the leading rider in Hong Kong this season with a 15-win lead on major rival Joao Moreira.
He is heading for his first jockeys premiership there, and if he does win it he will break the amazing 13-year hold South African champion Douglas Whyte has had on that title.