His New Zealand Derby record is unparalleled, but Mark Purdon’s record with favourites might be the only silver lined cloud for opposition lining up against his hotpot Lazarus in tonight’s edition at Addington.As connections of those charged with trying to lower Purdon’s colours in the Group One three-year-old feature tonight struggle to find ways and means in which to stop the rampant run of the exciting pacer, the fact that only three of Purdon’s 12 Derby victories have been favourites may be the shining light.
You have to search back to 2008 and Auckland Reactor to find his most recent, victorious favourite. Prior to his win, only Il Vicolo and Jack Cade have won with the same punter expectation. That’s quite incredible when you consider that of those other nine winners, names like Bogan Fella, Fly Like An Eagle, Border Control and Have Faith In Me feature.
So the $1.18 odds on offer for tonight’s $200,000 event, all of a sudden seem a little shorter than they should.
All that said, Purdon is expecting to break the run of favourites bad luck this year and it’s hard to argue with the confidence.
He looked down and out at the 300 metre mark in last week’s Flying Stakes, but his true class again shone through as he picked up Classie Brigade in the final strides.
He looked down and out at the 300 metre mark in last week’s Flying Stakes, but his true class again shone through as he picked up Classie Brigade in the final strides.
“He’s never handled the last bend as well as I would like, but he was the best he’s been,” Purdon said.
“We had him pretty ready, but I am still expecting improvement out of him with the run under his belt. He should be too good for them on what he has done.”
“But I will have to watch where I end up and make sure he gets a fair crack at them.”
The All Stars assault, led by Lazarus, doesn’t end with him. Purdon and training partner, Natalie Rasmussen also have Stroke Of Luck and Benicio engaged in the event with the latter having the added advantage of drawing well on the front line.
Inside him is the only other horse punters want to know about leading into the race, Classie Brigade.
Second behind Lazarus in last week’s Flying Stakes, the Nigel McGrath trained colt has been one of the big improvers in the three-year-old ranks. He’s come that far in fact, that when book makers open their first market for the Three-Year-Old Emerald at the Harness Jewels in early June, he will likely be the favourite.
“He’s getting better each time he goes to the races,” driver Ricky May said.
“We’ve got the right barrier draw, so we will be using it. If we hold the lead we will be staying there and making Lazarus work that little bit harder.”
May is yet to win a New Zealand Derby, one of only a few races in New Zealand to elude him in his illustrious career.
Earlier in the night he should add his sixth Fred Shaw Memorial New Zealand Trotting Championship to the resume’ when he teams up with Monbet.
The Greg and Nina Hope trained trotter was subjected to a $600,000 offer during the week which connections turned down.
He will square off with Sheemon, Harriet Of Mot and Sunny Ruby in the Group One event and has been enlisted a warm $1.30 favourite by bookmakers.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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