Brenton Avdulla will be hoping to continue his late-season surge when he partners the classy Raging Blizzard in Sunday’s Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin.
By his own admission it has been a frustrating season for Avdulla, but four winners at the last three meetings aboard the likes of My Mars and Jedi Spurs has seen him finishing the campaign on a high.
“It’s been a pretty frustrating season. I had a winner at the first meeting and then had plenty of placings after that in the first few months, which hurt me a little bit,” Avdulla said.
“I’ve been able to build a bit of momentum the last few months and found some nice horses like My Mars and Jedi Spurs which has helped. Hopefully I can find a few more winners and get ready to attack next season.”
Avdulla has been Raging Blizzard’s regular partner this season, riding him on nine of his 10 starts and he has only finished outside the four on two occasions, finishing fifth both times.
Second in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) earlier this campaign, he has regularly tussled with Ka Ying Rising and although he perhaps has the most class in the race, he has been a victim of his own consistency.
“He gives you 100 per cent every time and has been really consistent – I’ve ridden him for all but one of his starts this season and he has never been far away,” Avdulla said.
“He’s had to chase [Ka Ying Rising] home a few times and the races he hasn’t had to contend with him, he’s only been beaten short margins. He deserves his one, but he finds it hard in these handicaps off the big weight.
“I thought he ran out the 1,400m fine in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup – he was taking on Ka Ying Rising who won by three and a half lengths and he wasn’t far off Galaxy Patch there.”
Avdulla will also get the leg up on Bustling City, who bids to make it fifth-time lucky in the Class Four Ruby Handicap (1,000m) that kicks off the card.
Well held in his opening two starts under Zac Purton, Avdulla has struck up a good partnership with him in two outings since, finishing third over track and trip before bumping into a smart winner last time when best of the rest.
“He’s raced well for me both times – he came out of a race where Oneshot won and Master Payment ran second, and he’s come out and won after, and then the other day he felt the winner for a little bit but [Lahore] just went straight past him,” Avdulla said.
“He’s drawn middle part of the track, which is not ideal, but he’s a horse that’s in form now. He’s put two consistent runs together now and trialled well at Sha Tin in between – I can see him continuing to improve.”
Avdulla will also ride Hot Air Ballon in the first section of the Class Four Diamond Handicap (1,200m). The Douglas Whyte-trained galloper returns off another enforced injury absence after injuring his right fore tendon following a promising fifth at Sha Tin in September.
Avdulla’s book is rounded off by Giddy Up and Alabama Song.
