Purdon and Williamson ponder Cup time

Nathan Williamson’s thoughts about a possible winning time in this year’s New Zealand Cup  are interesting and bound to generate debate.

The two Australians, Swayzee and Leap To Fame are the favourites and Williamson said in response to my question “A lot will depend on the day. If the track is in the order that it generally is, if they get a nice day and both begin cleanly, I think Leap To Fame could go sub 3-50. He could roll through his first mile and a half in 2-55 and at least get home in 55.”

I also asked Mark Purdon his thoughts on the subject. Having trained eight New Zealand Cup winners including Lazarus the current record holder (3-53.1) and having reined home six winners in the great race, he’s certainly got the experience.

“I don’t know about 3-50. That seems to be bloody quick. Look, I wouldn’t be surprised if they stop the clock at around the 3-55 mark. I think if Leap To Fame jumped to the front I don’t think Grant (driver Grant Dixon) would go that quick. I think we’ll see a race that’s more like the Interdominion Final where the lead was handed to him and he set his own terms. But if Swayzee made the front it would be a totally different race because I’m sure Leap To Fame would pressure him,” Purdon said.

Williamson commented the top Australian horses seem to have unlimited stamina.

“I’ve never seen him (Leap To Fame) or Swayzee slow down. They just don’t get tired. They probably lack the turn of foot of the likes of Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming but generally when it’s a big race it never comes down to that. It always comes down to stamina. They can sap the speed out of the rest.”

Williamson and Purdon both agree the two horses are out of the box.

“They’re the best in Australasia. When we go to Australia we generally go with the best we’ve got here. They’ve turned the tables a bit and they’re now bringing the best they’ve got here,” Purdon said.

It took until 2000 for the magic 4 minute mark to be broken when Yulestar ran the 3200 metres in 3-59.1. Since then a sub four minute time is the norm.

Purdon says the New Zealand Cups are not as open as they used to be.

“Now when we look at a Cup field we’ve normally got four, maybe five serious chances and the balance are just making up the numbers. I don’t think we’ve got the depth. If you went back twenty years, overall the depth was there,” he said.

There’s no doubting there’ll be a few twists and turns yet, before the second Tuesday in November but many are picking this could be the greatest Cup in years. Time will tell!!

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink