If not yet quite in the Outer variety,AKUTA has the ace space in theory and in practice leading into the time honoured New Brighton Cup (9.43pm) on Friday. Which is probably why he is at even money ($2) going into a race his class would win nine out of ten runnings.
“He’s still a bit round” Mark noted about the comeback kid of harness racing this spring “He’s going to be improved with the run “
That is hardly surprising since it is only his third start in 18 months and his main targets are still some weeks in the future. Onward and upward will be the catchcry this week and the inside gate is a mixed blessing.
He may be rated 25 points ahead of the next best under free for all conditions but even though he has usually been a safe beginner there are fewer options open to Mark from the stand.
“We might have to be looking at a spot on the pegs just off the pace. He will need luck from a place like that”“He has continued to progress and is very well. It is just more racing is going to improve him”
It’s been a while between drinks for Purdon Racing in the Cup, Chase Auckland being the last winner in 2019. Up and comers rather than established stars have often proved their strongest, but Akuta’s class must be respected
Mark will be hoping he will be coming off a winning drive going into the race.
RUBIRA looks a strong chance of coming off a break since his Queensland Derby triumph and resuming on a winning note in the Ian Dobson Johnny Globe Classic.With a trial under his belt and aiming to show he is up to the very best on this side of the Tasman as well, he should be hard to beat at $2.50.However he is conceding favouritism to Bar Louie,unbeaten this time in,drawn one inside him and there are other threats
“Nathan and I have been pleased with the way he has come back. He is another bound to improve with it but he seems ready to go”
Stablemate MIDNIGHT MIKI with Rubira’s former guide Blair Orange in the bike is not out of it either.
“He’s not on par with Rubira at the moment but he has come back a stronger horse and has the best gate of the form horses. He has trained up well.”
Nathan was impressed with Rubira’s private trial last weekend at Pukekohe and thinks he is forward enough to win.
The Johnny Globe shapes as an interesting pointer to the bigger three year old races to come and betting odds could vary come post time.
TREACHEROUS BABY ($3.40) the winner of over $200,000 is quite well placed in the Rating 60-70. She is the stable opener at 7.45pm and as usual much will depend on the run of the race.
“I think the inside horse (Arthur Shelby) will use that gate and we will have to look to slot in somewhere we can get a crack at them later” Mark said
Treacherous Baby has a reputation as a “sit and sprint” mare but more than once she has shown she can sprint off a harder trip.
That leaves OSCAR BONAVENA in the Ordeal Cup a race the Purdon stable has only won once (Cyclone U Bolt 2013) and one Oscar would like to add to his impressive tally. But the odds setters favour Muscle Mountain who has the marked advantage of having a winning run under his belt. Oscar has not raced since a tremendous performance in the Inter Dominion Grand Final in July. His odds of $3.60 reflect that.
“All is well there. I expect him to at least improve with the run and possibly need it. He has done well again since Australia”
Oscar will be wearing the fixed deafeners this week having had the removable variety on in Brisbane at his last start.
‘Probably Rubira” Mark responded to what he rated the best chance on the night.