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HK: Purton hopes to rebound aboard Wunderbar despite wide gate

Zac Purton is wary of engaging in a speed battle with Wunderbar (Rich Enuff) as John Size’s talented sprinter looks to rebound from a rare defeat when he tackles the Class 2 Poinsettia Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. With six wins and two seconds from eight starts, Wunderbar has emerged as a quality horse for 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size. Wunderbar will jump from barrier 11 in the 14-horse field and Purton will discuss speed maps with Size, with both aware of the presence of several rivals who are likely to press him for the lead at the weekend. “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. “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 [of 1000 metres and 1200 metres]. 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 has been cleared to resume riding after missing Wednesday’s meeting with illness, while Hong Kong Jockey Club officials also passed fit Lyle Hewitson and Matthew Poon to ride at Sunday’s meeting.