Coming off a double on the Devonport synthetic a week ago, jockey Bulent Muhcu has a strong book of rides for the first meeting of the new season at the same track on Sunday.
Muhcu tasted success in the final two races of the day aboard Tessie and Cabarrus for trainer Leanne Gaffney, both wearing the famous purple and white of Star Thoroughbreds.
“That was the first time I’d put those colours on,” laughed Muhcu who has always had a good association with the Gaffney stable.
This Sunday, Muhcu will look to continue his winning form and will be aboard a debutante named The Poodle from the John Blacker stable that won a trial in the fastest time of the day on Tuesday.
“I’ve been booked for this horse for a fortnight, because Kyle (Maskiell) can’t quite make the weight,” explained the rider who will carry 57kg in the Ladbrokes 3YO Maiden.
Orange Roughie is a horse Muhcu will be more familiar with having ridden him at both starts this preparation and says the horse raced without luck in Hobart last start.
“He drew really bad last start and was caught really wide.
“He’s pulled up really well from that Hobart run and he should get every opportunity from barrier 1,” Muhcu said about the Stephen Shaw-trained five-year-old who will likely be vying for the lead in the maiden over 1350m.
Fiveandfurther (Ryan Bishop) wins in Launceston in November 2018.
Fiveandfurther is a mare that would have gone into many black books after storming home from the tail to finish second in Devonport on 12 July, but she’s a horse that’s had her share of issues through her career.
“She was a very dominant horse in herself, but this prep she has improved mentally,” explained Muhcu who has ridden the horse in trackwork for two years.
The six-year-old mare has recovered from tendon issues but Muhcu says the previous injuries have had an impact on how she is ridden in races.
“If she’s used up early, she can lose her action.
“When she’s balanced, she can run very strong sections late so I don’t think we can change too much tactics wise.”
Century Arrow is first-up from a spell having trialed recently in fast time ahead of Group 1 winning mare Mystic Journey.
“I’ve always wanted to ride the horse in Devonport, but every time he has raced there, I’ve been unavailable,” said Muhcu who has ridden the six-year-old gelding in Hobart and Launceston in the past.
“I spoke to Angela (Brakey) the horse is quite fit and he ticks a lot of boxes.”
Muhcu rides in all nine races on Sunday’s program and one of his best winning chances may be in the final race where he will partner with the Julie Richards-trained Manilenya who finished an unlucky third in Hobart last start.
“They’ve elected to go to the Devonport track for the first time with her and I think she’s going to handle that sort of going, which is a consistent track.
“I don’t see her running a bad race there.”
The hardworking jockey finished last season with a surge to finish tied for third on the Premiership table with 39 wins and had more rides than any other jockey on mainland Tasmania (excluding King Island) for the season.
“I always think I can do better, but last season showed I work hard and hopefully this season I can keep improving.”
Watch the replay of Manilenya finishing third in Hobart last start.