By Michael Guerin
The pre-Sires’ Stakes conversation between Steven Reid and Tony Herlihy today will be short.
The pair combine with Star Galleria to take on the might of the All Stars, who have four or even five reps in the $170,000 three-year-old group one.
Usually taking on that may Purdon-Rasmussen runners in a three-year-old race only ends in disappointment one way or another — as we learnt with Hughie Green in this very race two years ago.
But after two brave and brilliant heat wins in the north were followed by a trials thrashing of Ultimate Machete last Wednesday and then Star Galleria drew the best of the favourites, confidence is the Reid-McMullan camp is growing.
“I have known he was a good horse for a while,” admits Reid without wanting to talk his new stable star up for fear of a fall.
“A few weeks ago I worked him one windy afternoon at Pukekohe and he paced his last 400m in just over 26 seconds.
“That was as quick as I have ever had a horse work there, as good as Monkey King or Gold Ace.
“I am not saying he is as good as them yet but he has their speed.”
So talent won’t be the issue for Star Galleria and Reid is confident he can cross to the lead after the positive feel he got when buzzed off the gate at the trials.
But if he does lead Reid expects pressure from the likes of More The Better and Ultimate Machete.
It is not so much team driving he fears, more the fact the Purdon-Rasmussen horses are so good and so fit they don’t let rivals away with dawdling leads.
“I think he can lead but I also expect some pressure and then it will be up to Tony to decide what to do next.
“A couple of times in the past I have given Tony pre-race instructions but who am I kidding? He has been doing this for decades and I will let him decide what he does out there.
“All I will be saying to him is that the horse is spot on and I think he isn’t just a speed horse, he has some bottom to him.”
More The Better is still just the favourite after a dominant juvenile season but he has been good without being spectacular so far this term.
Which sums up all the Purdon-Rasmussen reps, all look good enough to win but none to be totally feared.
More The Better looks the most likely to settle handy to the speed with cover so appeals the most of their team but the race has the potential for an upset, not so much in the winner but definitely the placegetters.
The punt: The Herlihy factor might be enough to get Star Galleria home but you would want cover with More The Better.
2: HAVE FAITH IN ME
3: SMOLDA
What: NEW ZEALAND CUP DAY
When: First race 12.05pm today.
Where: Addington, Chch.
Races: $750,000 New Zealand Cup; $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final, $80,000 NZ Trotting Free-For-All; $35,000 Pacing Free-For-All.
Punt: Fixed odds all races; head to heads; $50,000 Pick6.
View: Trackside starts with preview show from 10am, the live coverage from 11.30am.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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