Zac Purton is confident Tuchel’s (NZ) (Redwood) racing pattern and class will allow the rising star to enhance an already impressive record when the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up contests the Class 2 Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Saturday.
With four wins at 1400m and a last-start victory over 1600m at Sha Tin, Tuchel has been tried only twice at 1800m or beyond, finishing fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before finishing a short-head second in the BMW Hong Kong Derby behind Voyage Bubble (Deep Field).
Based on those performances and Tuchel’s capacity to race close to the speed, Purton believes the Redwood gelding can press for a fourth win this season despite having to carry 135lb from barrier four.
“He’s been incredibly consistent all season, he’s performed when we’ve wanted him to. Obviously, he’s got to carry the weight this time, up in distance a little bit but he’ll put himself in the right spot, give himself a chance,” Purton said.
Referring to the 100-rater’s last-start effort to catch Flaming Rabbit (Time Test) on 21 May after conceding the runaway leader almost five lengths at the 800m, Purton said: “He did a good job, there was no fluke in what he did – he did a good job, he had to man up and he did that, he was strong to the line and hopefully that helps us in this race.”
Purton partnered Tuchel in a quiet 1200m trial at Sha Tin on 2 June and believes the John Size-trained four-year-old is primed for another strong performance.
“John likes to trial his horses between races, he felt like this horse needed it and he trialled well.”
With 149 wins for the season, Purton needs a further 21 victories to equal Joao Moreira’s mark for the most wins in a single Hong Kong season and the five-time Hong Kong champion jockey has nine rides tomorrow.
