Japanese horse Admire Rakti, ridden by Zac Purton, has won the 2014 Caulfield Cup.

Rising Romance had led the field out of the final turn, but Admire Rakti flew home to hit the front and won by half a length.

Rising Romance finished second and pre-race favourite Lucia Valentina was third.

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“He had a handicap of 58 kilograms and wasn’t sure about it but he clearly likes Australia,” winning trainer Tomoyuki Umeda said.

“If everything goes well, hopefully his luck keeps going to the Melbourne Cup.

“Hopefully the owner likes it here and we can come back again next year.”

It was the first time Purton had won one of Australia’s major races.

“I like travelling the world. I like riding in these races, now I’m getting the opportunities and it’s what every jockey dreams of,” he said.

“I specifically went to Japan in the [Hong Kong] off-season to look for a Cups ride … so far, so good, but it’s not over yet.”

The jockey was fined $3000 for excessive use of his whip during the Cup win.

Purton, who headed back to Hong Kong on Saturday night, collected $87,500 as his winning percentage.

Big names suspended

Hugh Bowman has been suspended for 20 meetings on a charge of improper riding at Caulfield on Saturday.

The decision by Racing Victoria stewards is a huge blow to the leading Sydney jockey, who will miss the Cox Plate, Derby day and the Melbourne Cup.

Bowman said he would appeal the ban, which was brought down for his ride aboard Light Up Manhattan in the Caulfield Classic.

The stewards alleged Bowman tried to push Magicool (Glen Boss) back to the fence, in a case similar to the one made against Chad Schofield who was rubbed out for 32 meetings last month.

“There was a level of intent by your actions that placed Glen Boss and Ben Melham, riding Home Run Hero, both in danger as a result of your actions,” chief steward Terry Bailey said.

“He’s in danger of getting heels. He’s getting pushed towards the fence. You can see Ben Melham being tightened.

“He should not be subject to that level of pressure.”

Bowman, who argued he was merely trying to hold his line, was clearly upset by the charge and subsequent suspension.

He had the ride aboard Australian Derby winner Criterion who is a leading contender in next week’s Cox Plate.

Meanwhile, Luke Nolen received a 10-meeting ban for careless riding aboard Brambles in the Caulfield Cup.

Stewards said Nolen caused interference to Stipulate and Renew while passing the 100-metre mark on the first occasion.

He will miss Wednesday’s Geelong Cup meeting as well as Cox Plate day.

With ABC