Nathan Purdon makes no secret of his belief the oddsetters have “got it wrong” about Akuta’s chances of winning the New Zealand Cup.
“He should be higher up the order than he is ($21 and sixth favourite) on what I’ve seen of his prep. and on his record. I think he’s underrated”
We Walk By Faith, a classic winner from the Purdon stable for example is rated ahead of Akuta on the basis of a strong win over 2600m at Addington in September and little luck since but is untried at 3200,m.
Nathan bases his opinion on Akuta’s long road back from injury and how he has needed recent racing and his final workouts, especially that on Sunday.
“I drove the GP. It was pretty exciting to watch the way he finished that work off. In my opinion it was superior or at least equal of when he ran second two years ago to Swayzee. He’s in a great place at the right time”
Nathan is a great admirer of Leap To Fame and Grant Dixon but notes that some different skills will be required tomorrow.
“He’s quite a colty stallion from what I have seen of him over there and I don’t think it is just a matter of him going to the front in the first 400m.He is close to other horses in a big field from a stand.Grant is a great horseman and he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t confident but I can’t see the horse rushing out early and getting control. So it is what he does and when that he will be the interesting thing.”
Nathan also notes the very mixed record visiting Australians have in their first outing at Addington over the years.
“It’s funny. Most people seem to think its Alexandra Park with its way of going that can trip them up but I think Addington is actually tougher for them”
Nathan knows it will be tough for OSCAR BONAVENA in the Dominion Handicap.
“The old boy is going to have to at his best on the day. That will be good enough to challenge them but it is not easy for him depending on how the race is run”
Nathn revealed that he doubts either of the two stars will back up on Friday.
“You wouldn’t decided until after the day but I doubt Dad will want to back Oscar up like he has in the past and I don’t think Akuta will either”
That leaves four fillies in Sires Stakes final on Friday and Rubira and Midnight Miki in the $500,000 Slot Race.
His problem tomorrow with INCENTIVISE in the Sires Stakes is the gate but CHASE A DREAM will be suited by his.
“Incentivise has a tough draw and he really has to just let the race unfold and see where he ends up. There’s some smart ones with good gates and it is a case of wait and see. It could be a bit much for him at this stage of his career.
“Chase a Dream is on the second row and won’t be in any dogfights early. He is better settling in a spot and working it out from there. On his work and the way he looks to me I think he could be nearing form though there is more improvement with him.I think there will be good pace in the race and he will thrive on that”
Perhaps reflecting the field which was once dominated by “next year’s Cup hopes” Chase a Dream is a cramped odds and it is really a question of whether his best version is on display.