Zac Purton is wary of engaging in a speed battle with Wunderbar as John Size’s talented sprinter looks to rebound from rare defeat when he tackles the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Poinsettia Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 December).
With six wins and two seconds from eight starts, Wunderbar has emerged as a quality galloper for 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size and Purton is aware of the presence of several rivals who are likely to press for the lead at the weekend.
Wunderbar (135lb) will jump from barrier 11 in the 14-horse field and Purton will discuss plans with Size with speed maps suggesting the chestnut’s usual pattern of going forward might be compromised by horses such as I Give (gate seven), Harmony N Blessed (four), Glory Elite (six), Call Me Glorious (13), Bottomuptogether (one) and Majestic Knight (two).
“It’s not going to be easy, especially from this gate. There are a few horses in it with a bit of speed that are going to make it competitive, so I’m sure John has got a plan and I’ll find out what that’s going to be,” Purton said.
The only horse in Hong Kong with victories over Group 1-winning Ka Ying Rising – the Rich Enuff gelding managed the feat twice in January – Wunderbar suffered a short-head defeat at the hands of Magic Control over 1000m at Sha Tin on 9 November.
“He (Wunderbar) performed very well (last start) but he just ran into a horse who performed at his best on the day. I think he’s equally adaptable at both distances (1000m and 1200m). I don’t think one (distance) is better than the other, but he’s drawn wide so he’s going to need a little bit of luck,” Purton said.
Purton has been cleared to resume riding after missing Wednesday’s (18 December) meeting with illness. Club officials also passed fit Lyle Hewitson and Matthew Poon to ride at Sunday’s meeting.
With 51 wins from 228 rides, Purton leads the 2024/25 jockeys’ championship by 26 wins from Hugh Bowman (25) and Vincent Ho (21) and the seven-time champion has a full book of 10 rides on Sunday.
