KEY POINTS:
Mark Purdon's approach to tonight's two group one races at Addington couldn't be more different.
On one hand Purdon is set to dominate the $175,000 Sires' Stakes Final, with two winning hopes and another one sweating on a start.
But in the $125,000 New Zealand Oaks he says he has little winning chance, even though he believes he has the second best filly in the race.
Purdon's Oaks rep is Top Tempo, who has been consistently unlucky in the feature race draws this season, starting from the second line in her four biggest races.
That happens again tonight - but what makes the draw so much worse is wonder filly One Dream has drawn perfectly at barrier two, which suggests she is a certain leader and probable winner.
"We can't beat her, simple as that," said Purdon.
"Unless she [One Dream] has bad luck we are running for second, even though I am very happy with how Top Tempo is going."
But Purdon is understandably far more confident heading into the Sires' Stakes, for which he trains three of the favourites - Ohoka Arizona, Fiery Falcon and Steve McQueen.
The latter won the $200,000 Sales Series Pace at Addington last Saturday but because the Sires' Stakes is based on placings in the heats he is first emergency tonight.
"I would love him to get a start because he is drawn behind Roburascal, which would be a great place to be.
"But you don't see a lot of horses scratched in a race like this so we are hopeful more than confident."
He is keeping that confidence for Ohoka Arizona, whom he rates the best of his outstanding juvenile team.
Ohoka Arizona was not eligible for the Sales Series Pace last Saturday and hasn't been seen in public since winning his heat of this series three weeks ago.
That, coupled with his draw on the outside of the front line, may have some punters nervous.
"I'm not worried about the fact he hasn't raced for three weeks," said Purdon.
"I was going to take him to the workouts last weekend but they weren't on, but his work at home has been very good.
"He will be where he needs to be fitness wise and I think he is my best chance. He is just a bit stronger than the other two at this stage."
Purdon said driver Blair Orange would go forward at the start and try to sneak into a midfield position with Ohoka Arizona.
"That is the best way. If you go all the way back to last it makes it very hard to win."
Fiery Falcon will be a fine second-stringer for Purdon as he was a fighting third after sitting parked in the Sales Series Pace.
Roburascal would only need to perform up to his second in that race to take plenty of catching tonight, while Mattnamara's Band will need to improve after racing below his best in the Sales Series.
Key northern hopes The Cavalier and Cody Banks face huge tasks from second line draws, with Strike Up The Band (barrier four) only average by his standards last Saturday but could be better for that outing.
* Purdon is warming to the chance of Galleons Assassin, not only at Addington tonight but in the Harness Jewels on June 2.
The 4-year-old has been one of the stars of his age group in the second half of the season and was a sound seventh in the Rowe Cup last start.
He takes on open class again in the main trot tonight but Purdon says he has to be an each-way chance.
"He is racing really well and is handling open class."
He also thinks the Harness Jewels is far more open than when the markets were first released two months ago.
Back then Houdini Star was the $2.50 favourite for the trotters section but he heads into tonight's race needing to place to guarantee his spot in the series.
Said Purdon: "I think some of us may have closed the gap on Houdini Star."
