Purdon hopes he has solved Sherlock’s issues

Nathan Purdon is hopeful star three-year-old The Real Sherlock (Vincent) is over the problems that forced him out of the Vicbred Super Series final as he looks to get his Victoria Derby harness racing campaign back on track.

The New Zealand trainer revealed the son of Vincent was withdrawn from the weekend’s Group 1 due to a hind foot abscess, but believes he will be right to resume in this Saturday night’s Centre State 3YO Pace at Melton.

“I pulled him out of the box late morning and there was a pulse in the foot,” Purdon said.

“I got the farrier out, but (the abscess) hadn’t come to a head so there wasn’t anything we could do at the time.

“He should be fine to go this week.”

The Real Sherlock won his first start on Australian soil in a heat of the Vicbred series for three-year-old colts and geldings at Ballarat and then faded for third in the semi-final at Melton after being involved in a serious early speed battle with Perfect Class.

Before being scratched from the Group 1 final, he was regarded as one of the key dangers to favourite and eventual winner Petracca.

The horse is one of four here in Australia with Purdon, who is based out of Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars’ stables in Myrniong.

The Real Sherlock has gate six of six for the Centre State 3YO Pace, which will be run over the long distance of 2760m on Saturday night.

His main rivals include Chris Svanosio’s Louie Lou I (gate four) and Leilani Justice’s Final Collect (five).

After Saturday, it’s likely The Real Sherlock will compete in the Victoria Derby heats at Melton on October 7 before the Group 1 final a week later.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor for Harness Racing Victoria