Puntura will get his chance to defend his crown in Saturday’s Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, something he wasn’t assured of just a month ago.
The son of Vespa had been out of form since his breakthrough elite-level victory last year, and retirement was looming for the seven-year-old, but he was given one last chance to prove himself in last month’s Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham, and he duly delivered.
He pleased when finished fourth in the feature mile, and he continued his form revival when he returned to the Upper Hutt venue a fortnight later to finish sixth in the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).
“He was out of form for three or four starts, and it was good to see him back,” trainer Robbie Patterson said.
“When we went to the Mufhasa, that was nearly D-Day if he didn’t do something, and he went a blinder, so he got a reprieve.
“He is still looking for gaps in his last race. He has only got to bring that form on Saturday to be competitive.”
Puntura will be ridden by Craig Grylls, who partnered with him in last year’s running, which kicked off a memorable day for Patterson.
“It was a big thrill (to win the Thorndon Mile), and we won the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m) three-quarters of an hour later, so it was a pretty fantastic day,” he said.
Patterson is pleased with Puntura heading into the weekend, where he will be ridden cold from barrier five.
“The horse is very well, he has done well since his last run, so fingers-crossed,” he said.
“It has taken us seven years to work him out, but you have just got to ride him cold and he will be finishing it off.”
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