Racing: Pussycat grows a growl

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Trotting's biggest sook has finally grown up.

That is the opinion of training genius Barry Purdon as he prepares Mountain Gold for his return to racing at Alexandra Park tonight.

For two seasons Mountain Gold has looked the second-best trotter in Australasia - behind champion Lyell Creek - but that still hasn't stopped him gaining a reputation as a pussycat under pressure.

While there is no doubting his speed, Mountain Gold's mind has often been his weakest muscle.

He has delivered several unprompted galloping incidents and shown some fragile staying efforts since he won the 1999 Rowe Cup.

Sometimes it wasn't his own fault as he was left to take the battle to Lyell Creek.

Other times he was simply the punter's enemy.

But Purdon thinks Mountain Gold is ready to stand up and be counted.

And that could possibly be as soon as tonight's Schick BMX Extreme Trot.

"I think physically he is at least as good as last season," said Purdon.

"But mentally I think he is a lot better.

"In the past when he made a mistake I wasn't always surprised. I would be surprised if he does that this season."

The departure of Lyell Creek and his crushing racing style would appear to suit Mountain Gold more than most in the open class ranks as he has dazzling speed in races run short of suicide pace - as he showed during a rejuvenated Interdominion campaign in Brisbane in May.

He warmed up for tonight's $20,000 event by pushing Last Sunset close in a fast-run workout at Alexandra Park last Saturday, leaving both Purdon and driver Maurice McKendry confident about the season ahead.

"I think he is in for a good year and he is ready for tonight because I was actually aiming to have him racing two weeks ago but the race didn't get off the ground.

"In saying that, he will have to be good to beat Last Sunset because he went great last Saturday and we have to give him a 10m start."

Last Sunset has thrown off any concerns about a potential problem with ringbone and impressed new trainer Tony Herlihy this campaign.

"He has come up well and seems very well within himself," said Herlihy, who predictably rates Mountain Gold the one he has to beat tonight.

Even from their handicaps the pair dominate the first northern open class trot of the season, which also heralds the return to Alexandra Park of northern harness racing's prodigal son, Mark Purdon.

Now based in Canterbury, he has outside claims in the trot with Sheezadoosie, but his best chance of winning tonight comes with Young Rufus in a talented-packed second leg of Pick6.

The New Zealand Derby winner is forward for his resumption after a recent Rangiora trials win in good time but has still shown a tendency to hang in his work, which would hardly seem ideal as he looks likely to have to work into tonight's race wide on the track.

At his best he could still win, but if he takes his mind off the job tonight he will have problems getting near the likes of Versace and Alert Motoring, let alone running past them.