SUMMER Festival, a colt by former Darley sire Poet’s Voice who died earlier this year, won the Group 2 135th Derby Italiano at Capannelle, in Rome last weekend.

Trained by Alduino Botti and carrying the colours of Dioscuri SRL, the colt won the mile and three furlong contest by a length and a half from Flower Party and Henry Mouth. Favourite Wait Forever was unplaced in the 12 runner field. Cristian Demuro partnered the winner who was bred in Britain by Pinnacle Bloodstock Ltd.

Following on from the success in the Italian 2,000 Guineas winner Wait Forever, the Derby winner was also a Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale Graduate.

JOAO Moreira goes into the weekend with a six winner lead over Zac Purton in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship.

Purton had made big in-roads in his quest for a second championship at Sha Tin on Sunday with a four-timer, including three for leading supporter Caspar Fownes.

However, on Wednesday, Moreira rode a double on Gunnison and Jolly Amber to increase his advantage to six wins after Purton struck a blank.

Purton’s victories on Sunday came on the Fownes-trained trio Play It, Montreal and Rise High and the John Moore-prepared Solar Patch took the Australian jockey to 104 wins for the season, which was four adrift of chief rival Joao Moreira, who went winless on the card on Sunday.

“It’s a funny feeling, I have ridden four winners and I’m happy with that but I know there were some missed opportunities there too,” Purton said. “Still, four winners eats into Joao’s lead and hopefully I can make the most of every chance I get over the next two months.” Fownes and Purton have forged a noteworthy partnership in recent years that was only bolstered by the pair’s combined treble. However, the trainer said that he would be supporting both riders in their jockeys’ championship battle.

“It’s exciting for us as racing fans and exciting for the two boys,” Fownes said. “Both Joao and Zac have been riding for me, but recently Zac has probably ridden for me more. The rides are there for both jockeys, though, so whoever wants the rides can have them.”

The final Group 1 of the Hong Kong season, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m), and the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) headline tomorrow’s meeting.