“On the drink”: Purton returns serve after “sissy” jibe

Zac Purton has returned serve after Maureen Haggas flamed him for his ride on Lake Forest at Randwick on the weekend.

Haggas, the wife of champion British trainer William Haggas, suggested Purton rode Lake Forest like a “big sissy”, saying she was ”horrified” and “appalled” by his efforts.

Purton, who rode Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising to victory in the $20 million Everest earlier in the day, has fired back with a few jibes of his own.

“She must have been on the drink, she must have had a bad day at the races,” laughed Purton on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“I didn’t speak to her after the race, her and Willie weren’t down there. Obviously they watched it from up there and she’s got her opinion which she’s entitled to.

“But I thank her for her advice. I haven’t had time to watch the replay yet because I’ve been too busy watching replays of myself winning the $20 million Everest!”

Did Purton think it was a bad ride on Lake Forest?

“I followed Ceolwulf who went on to win the race, so I thought he was not too bad a horse to be following,” Purton added.

“He put seven lengths on me. As soon as they quickened my horse just went up and down in the one spot. He gave me no response at all.

“I’m a little bit bemused at her take on the race, but she’s entitled to that, no problem. Where she went a little bit too far was by dragging James McDonald into it as well.

“He’s currently the world’s best jockey and she said we both gave our rides (McDonald on Sam Hawkens) ‘really shockingly awful rides’.

“She’s probably had a day on the drink.”

Purton couldn’t quite work out why Maureen got stuck into him, especially after all the warm welcomes her husband William has bene afforded whenever he has a horse in Australia.

“The most disappointing part is that every time William Haggas has brought a horse to Australia we have championed him, we’ve been very happy for his success, we’ve welcomed him down, we’ve rolled the red carpet out for him and made him feel like he’s loved in Australia - and then they have one bad day and she falls off the rocking horse,” he said firmly.

“It’s probably a bit much.”

Purton concluded with some parting words: “Well, I hope that the horse goes to Melbourne and runs well so the billionaire owner (Tony Bloom) can pay for his travel expenses.”