By MICHAEL GUERIN
There are several ways you can look at tonight's $25,000 Kumeu Stakes at Alexandra Park but they all suggest the same result - Hunka Hickling winning.
You could assess the group two feature on class.
While the small field is stacked with talent Hunka Hickling developed into the second best 3-year-old in New Zealand late last season.
He sat three wide and still beat Stars And Stripes and Mike's Pal at Addington in April, a week before being robbed of near certain victory in the NZ Derby by a wandering Stars And Stripes.
He followed that with a second in the NSW Derby, the sort of form which suggests he is on his way to open class and definitely the horse to beat tonight.
Then again you could judge tonight's field on recent form.
On that front both Champagne Party and Paddy Mayne would appear to have an edge on Hunka Hickling as they are last-start Alexandra Park winner.
But Hunka Hickling's most recent form has been at the workouts and it has been sizzling. He paced his last 800m in a blistering 56.2 seconds to win his heat at the Alexandra Park workouts last week. That is good enough to win most races, this one included.
Yet perhaps the most logical way to judge tonight's field would be to ask trainer Mark Purdon, who has both Hunka Hickling and Champagne Party in the feature.
"I would have to go for Hunka Hickling over Champagne Party, and that is no disrespect to her because she is a good chance too," said Purdon.
"But Hunka Hickling has been working very well and I was happy with him at the workouts last Saturday.
"I don't think the standing start will worry him and he has to be the horse to beat."
Champagne Party was a game fourth behind Bruzem in the Superstars Championship at Addington last month and has the advantage of winter racing under her belt. But for her ability she is not well handicapped for the veteran on just eight starts.
While the field contains just six starters there are two upset threats to the Purdon pair in Paddy Mayne and Falcon Rise.
Paddy Mayne has a lethal sprint when saved for one run and paced a 1:56.5 mile rate beating the classy Thunder N Lightning here last start. Tonight though is his first standing start test and he could not afford to be slow away as that would cost him much of his handicap advantage.
Falcon Rise has been erratic this campaign and galloped last start when unsuited by drawing one on the 10m mark. Tonight he should step safely from the less-confined backmark and does possess tremendous stamina so could be the value option.
Purdon also holds a major hand in the night's other feature which signals the return of many of the north's best trotters.
He will be represented by the in-form Waihemo Hanger and the talented Blane as they clash with former Rowe Cup winner Mountain Gold, winter star Natural Glow and the exiting pair of Frugal Echo and Last Sunset.
"This will be a good test for Waihemo Hanger because this is the best field he has met. Still I think think he is a good trotter and he does have fitness edge on many of those open class horses tonight," said Purdon.
Favouritism the hot field could go to Last Sunset after a stunning workout win over Frugal Echo and Mountain Gold on the track last Saturday.
He trotted his last 800m in 57.8 seconds on that occasion after an impressive workout at Cambridge the previous week.
"He felt right back to his best last week and very safe in to the first bend, which has often been his problem area in the past," said driver Todd Mitchell.
Racing: Hunka Hickling too good
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