Dalgety and Purdon have key runners on premier night

Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and Mark and Nathan Purdon’s harness racing stables have key runners in some of the feature races at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

In the $100,000 Group One Pascoe The Jewellers Northern Oaks, the Dalgety runner Beside Me (Downbytheseaside) gets the draw (4) to lead.

She was very good at her last start, clearing out to win in last week Oaks Prelude and winning by two and a half lengths.

“We’ll make our own luck with her. She’s a wee bit different, this one. She can be a wee trick attitude wise but when the mobile goes she’s competitive. She’s healthy and raring to go,” Cran said.

The Purdon Racing filly Without You (Captain Crunch) who ran second to Beside Me, draws the inside of the second row in the 2700 metre three year old fillies feature.

‘It just looks on paper that Beside Me will find the front and he hard to beat. Being 2700 metres, I think the one horse (Arafura) will hand over to Beside Me so she (Without You) will be three back. I hope it’s a genuine run race,” Nathan said.

The $100,000 Dawson Harford New Zealand Messenger has dished up an excellent field of quality pacers.

Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) for the Dalgety’s gets a good draw (1) to play with in the 2700 metre pacing feature.

“Railing is the shortest way home in the longer distance races. He raced super last start, raced some fancy last halves and quarter. If he does that again he’s going to be really hard to beat,” Dalgety said.

Chase A Dream (Captaintreacherous) for Mark and Nathan draws six in the Messenger. He ran an excellent second behind champion Leap To Fame in The Race by betcha at Cambridge and has been freshened for this race.

Nathan said Chase A Dream has had a break since The Race and added that the fast time of 2-33.5 for the 2200 metres was taxing on all the horses. However he says Chase A Dream will come into the race full of confidence.

Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) starts off the 10 metre strand in the $100,000 Group One HR Fisken and Sons Anzac Cup.

After breaking from behind the mobile at Cambridge he’s been given some time off and is back to the standing start for Purdon Racing.

“He’s got a lot of base fitness so he is fit. A couple of strong runs at home brings him on to where he needs to be. Off ten metres he’s not that far away. He’s a strong winning chance.”

Both stables have other runners across the card.

Race Two:

Luby’s Luck (What The Hill) – Mark and Nathan Purdon

“I’m happy with the way she’s training. Her last start was a lot better and I think she’s improved from that run. I give her a bit of a chance.”

Race Three:

The Queens Gambit (Captain Crunch) – Cran and Chrissie Dalgety

The Queens Gambit was very good at her last start winning by three and a quarter lengths with her ear plugs still in. This is a step up in grade but she has a very good draw (1) to work with.

Alecto (Bettor’s Delight) – Mark and Nathan Purdon

“She’s a nice filly who keeps getting better. Three weeks between runs is a little bit of an issue because she’s such a little fatty. She’ll take benefit from the run. We’ve got Chris Alford on board so he’ll pull the right rein. It’s the grand final next week so as long as she comes through the run this week she’ll be a bit of a chance next week.”

River (Bettor’s Delight) – Mark and Nathan Purdon

“She’s a nice filly. She’s right up there with the best of them. If she trails or is three back they’ll certainly know she’s there.”

Race Four:

Fitzroy (Bettor’s Delight) – Mark and Nathan Purdon

“We put him in there because it’s such a small field. He’s quite a wee way off fitness wise. I’d like him to find the fence early and if he runs in the first four I’d be rapt.”

Fugitive (Downbytheseaside) – Cran and Chrissie Dalgety

“He’s a little cracker. I’m really rapt with him. He’s got a good marble at four and he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

Andretti (Bettor’s Delight) – Mark and Nathan Purdon

“He’s a smart horse. He’s done really well and it’s three weeks between runs for him. He’s going to be better next week but in saying that he’s still a very good chance of winning.”

Race Seven:

Midnight Miki (Always B Miki) – Mark and Nathan Purdon

Midnight Miki is Purdon Racing’s lone starter in the Woodlands Stud Northern Derby. His second line draw could see him get a nice trip with Marketplace likely to lead from barrier one.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink