Zac Purton’s quest to become not only the first rider to win three Longines International Jockeys’ Championships (IJC) in a row but also the event’s most successful competitor received a boost when the Jockey Club allocated the rides for Wednesday night’s four-race showcase at Happy Valley.

Purton, who is seeking to add to his 2017, 2020 and 2021 IJC titles and differentiate himself from three-time victors Frankie Dettori (1999, 2001 and 2011) and Douglas Whyte (2002, 2007 and 2008), was one of the winners out of Monday’s draw.

Ironically, the IJC runner whose performance may enable Purton to move clear of Dettori and Whyte is Xponential, whom the Australian jockey will ride for the South African trainer in the Class Three sprint over 1,200m that will wrap up the competition.

A three-time course-and-distance victor who was runner-up on his most recent start, Xponential has made the top three in 12 of his 21 races over Happy Valley’s 1,200m trip and progressed from fourth to third to second so far this season.

Xponential rounds out Purton’s IJC book, which also includes Supreme Lucky, Copartner Era and Packing Famous. Supreme Lucky is a second starter who was prominent throughout his decent debut over 1,200m at Sha Tin.

Copartner Era was a neck third over 1,650m at Happy Valley last time out. Packing Famous has posted back-to-back seconds over the Valley mile this term, plus he is a course-and-distance winner.

Purton will have to spend more time watching replays than usual, though, because the five-time champion jockey has only ridden one of his four IJC mounts in a race previously – Packing Famous when he finished fifth over 1,650m at Happy Valley on January 19.

“I’ve been allocated my rides now, so it’s up to me to work out how I can get the best out of those horses,” said Purton, who extracted the maximum from Handsome Twelve, Marado and Amazing Victory to win three consecutive races at Sha Tin on Sunday.

“I’m aware I’m going for three in a row and no jockey has ever won it in four times. I have that opportunity in front of me, so hopefully, I can make the most of it. But these are the best jockeys from all around the world. They’re not here by fluke. They’re here because they’re at the top of their games. They’re going to be as hungry as I am.”

At first glance, 2016 IJC victor Hugh Bowman joined Purton among the winners out of the draw, with the losers appearing to include event debutant Jamie Kah and one of last year’s four runners-up, Tom Marquand.

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Forte, Royal Pride, Setanta and Happy Sharing make up Bowman’s IJC book, with first-up specialist Forte standing out in the Class Four dash over 1,000m.

Kah will partner Momentum Galaxy, Free Foal, All Beauty and Red Lion on her IJC bow, while Marquand will steer Juneau Flash, Spicy Grill, Winning Dragon and California Vanes on his third IJC appearance.