New Brighton Cup good starting point for Sherlock

Rolleston harness racing trainer Nathan Purdon who trains in partnership with his father Mark, says tomorrow night’s $40,000 Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup is a good starting point for his four year old pacer Sherlock (Vincent).

“It’s a small field and he’s got a lot of speed. Touch wood he seems to be quite safe from a stand to. If he’s not too far off them he’s capable of running in the first three. If some of the others have bad luck and he has good luck I won’t be surprised if he gets the job done,” Nathan said.

Sherlock was taken to Australia in August last year and won three of his five starts. He’s had two trials and his last one was against some good opposition at Rangiora where he held on well to win by a length.

Purdon said at this level Sherlock is best saved for one run where he can use his high speed.

“He is quite versatile and he is a good horse but it’s a big step up to what he’s been racing to get to this level.”

This is the 74^th year the New Brighton Cup has been run and 35^th year Avon City Ford have sponsored the feature. Surely one of the longest running sponsorships in the sport.

Since 2010 the race has been run from the standing start with Classie Brigade’s 2020 winning time of 3-11.7 being the race record.

Meanwhile Purdon Racing have four other quality runners down to start across the Addington card.

In Race Two Look To Da Stars (Andover Hall) will start in the Purdon colours. He last started in May in the Group One Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby at Alexandra Park, running a close second to Inasinglemoment. He’s had one trial at Rangiora where he led and was run down late.

“He seems really good but he’s probably a horse you wouldn’t trust entirely. He’s got to bring his manners, but if he does he should be too good for that field.”

Two year old Party Central (Captaintreacherous) returns to racing in Race Six. His last start was in the Group One Welcome Stakes in May. Now three, he’s had one trial prior to tomorrow night, finishing second to quality filly Gone Surfin.

“He’s not a horse that carries a lot of condition. With the one trial, the winners went 2-28 and he’s probably gone 2-29 himself with the last half in 55. He should be forward enough to be more than competitive in a maiden field.”

Treacherous Baby (Captaintreacherous) lines up in the second Nevele R Filles heat. She ran a good third when resuming last week after over racing. Tomorrow night she gets an outside draw on the second row.

“It’s probably a bit awkward there. She’s definitely a horse better off saved up for one run. If she’s not far off them she’s got a lot of speed and is good enough to take it out.” 

The well bred High Step (Father Patrick) returns to the racetrack in Race Nine. She campaigned successfully in Australia in September and October before returning to this country. Her last start was in the Northern Trotting Derby where she ran eighth.

“She seems back to her best. She lost her form in patches last prep, and she seems where she needs to be. She goes really well fresh, begins very quickly and does have the perfect manners. Between those things it’ll put her in the right spot early, so she’s got to be in there with a chance.”

When pressed Purdon labelled High Step and Party Central as the barn’s best bets.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink