Racing: Auckland Reactor too fast

Auckland Reactor clears out to win the NZ Free-For-All last season. Photo / Simon Baker

Co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon has declared Auckland Reactor can sit parked outside any rival and still win the $250,000 New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington today.

That theory could well be put to the test in the glamour sprint.

Auckland Reactor goes into the race in the same position as last season, having enjoyed an effortless victory in the junior free-for-all on Tuesday, while his key rivals today went to war in the New Zealand Cup.

Last year that left him with the energy reserves - and, of course, the talent - to sit parked outside Changeover and crush him in the most memorable race of the season.

While Purdon hopes he won't have to do the same today it looks a possibility.

With three scratchings, Auckland Reactor comes into barrier four and if he is able to get in front early, victory looks almost as certain as his $1.10 quote from the bookies would suggest.

"I would think they will hand up to him, well, I would hope so anyway," says Purdon.

"But if he has sit parked then I think he can still do that and win. He did last year."

Purdon believes after what he felt on Tuesday, that Auckland Reactor is potentially better than last season.

Last year, he was just finding his feet in open class and still looked like a raw-boned equine teenager.

On Tuesday, he presented looking more muscled and duly destroyed his opponents by adding the national 1950m record to his collection.

"I would say he is better than last season," said Purdon.

"He feels stronger and able to hold his sprint for even longer."

While it would appear Auckland Reactor should simply run to the front and win today, the Changeover camp would be smart to at least test him early.

The big horse was luckless in the New Zealand Cup so didn't have a hard run and they, like everybody else in harness racing, has seen how keen Auckland Reactor can get when he burns early.

If they can get him fired up early they, or one of their rivals, might have some chance of lowering Auckland Reactor's colours.

If his rivals allow him to stroll to the front they basically concede defeat because it is doubtful any pacer in the world can catch Auckland Reactor when he is allowed to freewheel on his home track.

If any battle does develop early the horse best placed to cash in would be Monkey King.

He was fantastic winning the Cup on Tuesday and while sprinting has rarely been his go, with just a six-horse field he could well end up handy without doing any work.

Sitting on Auckland Reactor's back in the one-one he could beat the champ and cap a great week.

Purdon has another strong team in today and suggests Herald punters follows Sleepy Tripp (race one) and Russley Rascal (race three).

"Sleepy Tripp had no luck on Tuesday and ran on really well," said Purdon.

"I think we will see him back to his best on Friday."

Russley Rascal has created a huge impression in two starts so far and blazed a blistering last 200m to win last week. "He is a smart horse and is our second-best chance of the day after Reactor."

The TAB had Monkey King at second favourite on $7 and last year's Cup winner, Changeover, who starts on The Reactor's inside, at $8. Nearea Franco, who starts on the pole, was next best at $21.

REDHOT REACTOR

* Auckland Reactor has opened at $1.10 for today's New Zealand Free-For-All.
* He won the same race after the same lead-up last year.
* Scratchings have reduced the field to six starters.
* Springbank Richard is the $1.80 favourite for the Dominion Handicap today.