Nathan had hoped to have all runners engaged at Alexandra Park this week but circumstances have dictated a split team with the Cambridge meeting on Thursday with the major focus on the Friday features.
SPECIAL OCCASION ($2.00) is warm favourite for the 7.04pm Hopping Mobile Pace tonight closely followed by ANDRETTI ($2.90) after they were not catered for as hoped at Auckland.
“They both need racing especially with the Derby coming up and we would have preferred to race Friday but there was not a suitable race carded” Nathan said
“They should both go well though I would favour Special Occasion.We have always liked him and he has come back well. His first up run was good and he has gone on from there.”
“Andretti is on trial really just to see if he is up to the Derby level. He has improved but can be a bit tricky to assess on his work.”
While it is not an “end game” most stable interest will centre around the three fillies in the Caduceus Club event for them in the 6.08 at Alexandra Park in which Queen Lizzy is a firm favourite. WAT NEXT ALECTO and SHEZSOFAST make up a formidable trio all going well.
“Really any of them could win it if they got the right run. It’s going to be an interesting race. There is a lot of gate speed available early and where they all settle is the key. I slightly favour Wat Next though because she has the gate and the speed to use it”
Nathan admits the talented filly can be a “headache” to train with some issues dogging her three year old prep. but there is no doubting she has the class to win this.
“Just at the moment she is in a really good place,working up well and she can sprint with the best of them early.”
Wat Next makes an appealing odds bet at $7 considering her last run and that she is only third up after a spell.
“How the race is likely to be run will suit Alecto. I think the pace will be on all the way and she will thrive on that.She is certainly up to beating most of these.”
Shezsofast has the trickiest gate but also has a Group One win to her credit and is third up also. Blair Orange makes a welcome return to the Purdon team to drive her.
“We were happy with her last run and she needed to show us that. The gate is tricky but if Blair can get her in the right place, as he always can, she will be competitive too”
Nathan’s other runner DREAMLIGHT is at backable odds in the last of the night when Mark takes the drive.On her debut run she is a backable prospect at $13 even though starting from the second row.
Nathan,who drove her in her debut feels she has an upset chance.
“I got Dad to drive her when he was up during the week and he felt she was a good maiden prospect. She can be a bit unpredictable at this stage and has a bit to learn but with luck early she should be competitive ”
PIC: Alecto could be the surprise packet against the fillies at Alexandra Park