Purvis confident stable duo can strike again

Woodend Beach harness racing trainer Matt Purvis is feeling confident his pair can produce strong efforts in today’s $25,000 Donegal House Marlborough Pacers Cup (3.37pm).

Flying Bird and Smoke On The Water gave Purvis a quinella in the Reefton Cup back on December 30 and a repeat is not out of the question with the pair currently first and second favourites in the market.

Since then Smoke On The Water has had a freshener while Flying Bird raced on Friday only being narrowly beaten.

“She’s knocking on the door to get a race like this,” said Purvis.

Flying Bird was a shade unlucky on the first day after clearing a pocket late in the run home before being hit late by the fast finishing Misty Blue.

“She got held up on the first day and that cost her.”

Purvis is happy that Flying Bird will cop the rise in distance of 2850m.

“A bit of extra distance should suit her. As long as she steps good she shouldn’t be far away. She’s really good, ate up and seems bright.”

Kyle Cameron will take the drive.

Purvis’ other runner Smoke On The Water will need to bring all of his manners and class to win off his 40 metre handicap with driver Robbie Close. He has not been seen since showing his speed in the Reefton Cup when looping the field from the 300 metre mark and winning stylishly.

 “He’s jumping out of his skin.

“Forty-metres is no easy ask. I gave Robbie the choice and he said he’d stick with him after his efforts on the coast. Goose is pretty confident in him.”

It is a different scenario than the coast with a big field, however Purvis is confident the sheer speed of Smoke On The Water will bring him right into contention.

“The 14-horse field will make it harder, but he doesn’t seem to lose any of his speed in the wet either.”

To see the Marlborough Cup field click here

Purvis also lines up two other runners on the programme. In Race 3, the Grove Park Motor Lodge Mobile Pace with Close to drive Ultimatum will be looking to improve his first day effort.

“He’s come through the first day good. It’s a smaller field and drawn inside of the unruly I expect a much better run this time.

“He got caught in the wrong peloton on Friday and he lacks a bit of high speed. Stands are more his go.

“He’s a top four chance until he gets back to a stand,” said Purvis.

The blinds come off Don Juan in the final race of the programme today, the Blenheim Print Mobile Pace,  after getting a bit keen on the first day for driver Tayla Duley, who will reunite with the gelding today.

“I took the blinds off for the second day to try and help him.

“He’s not one that likes to do mid race work. It was a credit to him to stick on for fifth.

“He was bucking and kicking in the paddock after the first day so hopefully it didn’t take too much out of him. He’s another top four player,” said Purvis.

Race one gets underway this morning at 11.45am

For complete race entries, click here

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand