On-speed galloper Buzz Punch appreciated a shorter trip when he led all the way for an easy win at Hamilton.
After a hot contest for the early lead, jockey Brad Rawiller was able to control the race on the six-year-old who raced away in the home straight to impressively win Monday’s CoggerGurry Chartered Accountants BM58 Hcp (1400m).
Rawiller said the track played perfectly for Buzz Punch who is a natural on-pace runner although he did have to work in the early stages to take advantage of the bias on the day.
“We got a bit pressure in the first 100 metres with some other riders wanting to be on speed as well but once he got too the front he got into a good rhythm and I was pretty confident he would be hard to run down.”
Shouldering a hefty 61kg, Buzz Punch kicked 1-1/2 lengths clear early in the straight and extended the margin to 2-1/2 lengths after Rawiller drew the whip at the 150m.
At the post, he was two lengths ahead of Rondalago and Chu Chu Charlie.
Buzz Punch’s victory was his second since joining the Malady team last summer, with his number of runs limited because of a throat operation earlier this year for a breathing issue.
Both his wins for the stable have been over 1400m.
Trainer Vincent Malady said the distance seemed “a sweet spot” for Buzz Punch who had tended to race too keenly over 1600m at his recent starts.
“His last trainer won a 1850m race with him but he travels a bit keen the way I train him and 1400m is more suitable,” Vincent said.
However, Vincent left the door open to visit other 1600m races in the future, perhaps on a quick back up with the edge off him.