By Matt Markham
The New Zealand Trotting Cup is almost upon us and Barry Purdon is timing his run to perfection.
The master horseman, who has been partially responsible for four separate Cup wins over the years, put the final public touches on his 2015 charges; Sky Major and Lancewood Lizzie tonight in the annual Cup trial.
It was three-time Jewels winner Sky Major who emerged on top of the five horse field but the manner in which he jogged up to his opposition sounded a few stern warnings ahead of next Tuesday.
“He felt awesome,’’ driver Zac Butcher said.
“When I asked him to run he really hooked into it and just cruised up to them and then did the same to the line.
“You can tell he’s really gone forward since the Ashburton run too.’’
Sky Major found his feet early settling near the tail of the five horse field but secured a one out one back trail when Ohoka Punter moved forward inside the final 1000 metres.
The big bulking frame that was present at Ashburton was considerably trimmed and Sky Major looked impressive as he strode his way to the line to win.
Bookmakers reacted to the performance by shifting him back into a $3.20 favourite for the race.
“You can just never underestimate a guy like Barry Purdon,’’ Butcher said.
“He’s a master and the way this horse felt today tells me we are going to be bang on when Tuesday rolls around.’’
Tony Herlihy was more than happy with the runner-up effort of Ohoka Punter who sat in the breeze and went to the line under a good hold.
“He only does what he has to do out there, that’s just him.
“We were mainly here to blow any cobwebs out of the system and we did that.’’
John Dunn gave No Doctor Needed a big pass mark for his effort for third especially the manner in which he stepped away from barrier one – the same barrier he will begin from on Tuesday.
“He began really well, I was happy with that,’’ Dunn said.
“I think out best chance next week is stepping away nicely and hoping for a good trip on the markers. And if everything fell into place he might be able to sneak into third or fourth.’’
Lancewood Lizzie hit the line well in the hands of Mark Purdon while Corzin Terror tucked up late after leading throughout but looked in need of the hit out after travelling over to New Zealand late last week.
Half an hour earlier Monbet made a huge statement ahead of Tuesday’s New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All with a dominant performance again a few of his race rivals.
The Greg and Nina Hope trained trotter sat without cover from the last lap but powered away in the run to the line to win untouched by two and three quarter lengths from Prince Fearless, Kincaslough, One Over Da Moon and Sheemon.
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