After going two meetings without a win and visiting the winner’s enclosure just 12 times at the past 10 meetings, Zac Purton is ready for the tide to turn.

The four-time champion jockey has fallen five winners behind arch rival Joao Moreira in this year’s title race but he received a boost on the weekend when the Magic Man received a two-meeting suspension, which he will serve on May 15 and May 18, for careless riding when impeding Purton in the Sha Tin straight.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t help me in picking up any more horses,” Purton said. “He took the suspension so quick that I was already booked for all my horses.

“Tactically that might have been why he took the ban as quick as he did, knowing I was already locked in and I couldn’t pick up any of his rides.”

Purton heads into the meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday with a good book of rides and he is hopeful of narrowing his championship deficit, with Lucky Sweynesse out to maintain his unbeaten record in the second section of the Class Three Kam Tin River Handicap (1,200m).

“He’s done a good job so far but his last win was very workmanlike,” Purton said. “He had to get across from an awkward draw and he over-raced.

“He ran off on the first corner, got on the wrong leg prior to the home straight, dropped the bit and really tired late. He didn’t do everything right and he felt a little flat.

“It felt like it took a bit out of him so I recommended they spaced a bit of time before the next run, which they’ve done. He’s trialled well since but he’s getting up in the ratings now and it becomes harder. We need everything to go right.”

Gorgeous Vitality finished third on his last start when partnered by Purton for the first time and the rider thinks he has a chance in the Class Four Nam Chung Handicap (1,000m) if he can behave better at the start.

“He was in a bad mood before the race last time and in the stall he was being really difficult,” Purton said.

“He wouldn’t stand properly and it was like he wasn’t focused. He didn’t really want to be there, stepped away a little bit slow and he got squeezed, so he got further back than what we wanted.

“He still ran a nice race but I just get the feeling he’s not the easiest to work with, so I need him to be on his best behaviour to give himself a chance.”

Purton has been aboard Starry Night in his past two races and has been caught close to home on both occasions. He makes his first start at Happy Valley in the second section of the Class Four Shan Pui River Handicap (1,200m).

“He’s a young horse and a bit immature,” Purton said. “He’s going to be better with time but he’s going to the Valley, where it’s usually a little bit weaker.

“He can be a little bit funny at the gates as well, so I’m hoping he can get away cleanly and put himself in a good spot.

Hayes nets a double as Purton rides his 1,400th winner in Hong Kong

“He’s been wanting to lug off the track in the straight at Sha Tin so the shorter straight might keep him stronger to the line. He’s got the ability but needs to apply himself properly.”

Purton also has rides for trainer Douglas Whyte in both sections of the Class Four Tai Shing Stream Handicap (1,650m) in Big Two and HK Dragon and the Australian is complimentary about the way the 13-time champion jockey approaches training.

“Dougie’s pretty easy to ride for,” Purton said. “He does his form, his speed maps, he knows how the race is going to be run, the strengths of his horses and how he thinks they should be ridden.

“I’ve found him pretty straightforward so far and he’s doing a really good job and seeming to get better all the time. He’s been going really well recently so he’s a good trainer to be riding for.”