Tuchel’s progress to continue at Sha Tin

Zac Purton is confident Tuchel’s 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 Race 10, 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.

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 61.5kg from barrier No 4.

“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 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.

Karis Teetan has a full book of 10 mounts and is hopeful last-start winner Lucky Encounter can continue his upward path with success in the Class 3 Pok Fu Lam Country Park Handicap (1200m) for David Hayes.

“He’s an improving horse, he’s doing everything right,” the Mauritian said. “Of course, last time he had to do it the hard way (leading all the way) but he fought on nicely for a nice win. It was very impressive – when the second horse came next to him, he really fought.

“The only question mark this time is barrier No 10, but he’s got some nice speed out of the gates so he can get himself into a good position and he should run well again. This horse has shown us a lot and he’s improving all the time.”

Compiling another excellent season, Ricky Yiu hopes Round The Globe and Cheery, who both return to racing this weekend, can add to his stable’s 51 winners for the campaign so far.

Round The Globe contests the Class 4 Hong Kong Riding For The Disabled Association Cup Handicap (1200m) under Alexis Badel.

“Considering he’s only a three-year-old and with a much better draw (barrier N0 2), I think it will help,” Yiu said. “I gave him a short break in Conghua and he was ever so happy, so we expect him to perform again.

“He’s a lightly raced and he’s a nice horse. He’s progressive.”

A dual Class 4 winner, Cheery resumes in the Class 3 Lung Mun Road Handicap (1600m) in his first competitive appearance since winning over this course and distance on 18 December, 2022.

“Unfortunately, he bled in a trial (on 17 January) so we sent him back to Conghua and he built up a lot and he looks like a different horse. This long break will do him well and he’s had a couple of trials so I’m starting him at the mile – a distance he enjoys,” Yiu said.

“It was good for the horse to have a break. I’ve always believed in this horse – he will definitely win a Class 3 race.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

 RACE 1 IS OFF AT 10AM SA TIME 

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Erimo nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks the one to beat on current form, based on his four-length win on the AWT two starts ago. Adefill last start placing was full of merit after he made a mess of the start at rearing. Tianchi Monster old-timer who is always capable of surprising and Purton take the ride. Nordic Star good performance when storming home for third place last start, his best run locally yet. So We Joy will be suited by the switch back to AWT track.

Race 2: Beauty Destiny clearly has ability but he could very well throw the race away again like he did on debut as he trialled erratically and greenly in between runs, swishing his tail all over the place again. Purton sticks with him. Amazing Rocky looks a solid good chance based on last start and the apprentice claim suits. Midas Touch having second start and can improve with experience. Universal Pursuit has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Team Spirit placed last start and looks a chance to run well again.

Race 3: Dream Winner created a huge impression at local debut, winning easily and in slick time, and looks highly promising. He should take plenty of beating again despite the class rise. Pleasant Endeavor form is good and must be rated a solid chance with the aid of the apprentice claim. Red Elegance had genuine vet excuses last start and consider again. Run Run Cool placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. Beauty Tycoon never far away from the winner and could sneak a place. Purton rides.

Race 4: Peak To Peak drops down in grade and start following. From the low draw, he should map one of the best and could be too good on prior Class 4 form. Green Laser has the services of a top jockey today (Purton) and must be respected. Apex Top changed stables recently and has improved immensely. He will need a lot of luck from the wide draw here. Winwin Thirtythree drops down in grade and start following, he’s always dangerous at this level. Maximize Heart last start winner who remains in the same grade and will run well again.

Race 5: Amazing Teens nice horse who is a model of consistency and is always a chance in a race like this. He should gain the gun run from the low gate and is the one to beat. Righteous Doctrine can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. If Avdulla can make use of the inside draw, he’s in with a huge chance. El Valiente nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance on the light weight. Lucky Victor good effort last start leading all the way to win. Mission Bravo should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way.

Race 6: Round The Globe looks a solid good chance based on last start when he had no luck in the run but wasn’t beaten far. From barrier 2, he should be getting every chance. Lady’s Choice backing up quickly from last week, can run well and Purton sticks with him. Call Me Dandy go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Marvel Dragon had vet excuses last start and forget the run. He could run a cheeky race from barrier 1. E Brother has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.

Race 7: Unpresuming has a great record in this class and must be respected. He had no luck at the bottom of Class 3, but was running well. Holy Power has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. He should be getting favours from barrier 1. Casa Legend recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Kasi Farasi old-timer who is racing in good form. Bowman takes the ride. D Star video replay showed last run was very good after he had excuses in the home straight.

Race 8: Wide-open race here, with many chances. Smiling Collector had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. Low draw, light weight and proven at the trip tick plenty of boxes. Red Hare King nice three-year-old who is well placed with light weight. He tries the mile for the first time, but should relish it. Jumbo Fortune generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He has ability but can be hard to catch. Beauty Fit go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Beauty Missile had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire.

Race 9: Lucky Encounter nice three-year-old with a good chance here after winning his last two races smartly. He needs early luck from barrier 10, but has the gate speed to overcome it. Excellent Fighter nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance but he has also drawn wide and will need a good steer from the off. Pulsar Strider good effort last start leading all the way to win. Invincible Sage caught the eye flashing home late, nice effort. Party Warrior every chance last start when beaten.

Race 10: Tuchel looks the one to beat based on current form after winning three from seven this term. He has more to come and should map ideally from gate four under Purton. The Best Peach nice horse who is a model of consistency and can test the favourite. Butterfield good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. A repeat of that run can prove him competitive again. Rise Brethren ran the second fastest sectional time last start and seems to be returning to form. Nearly Fine generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He could be great each-way value.