Racing: Champion ready for big season

Auckland Reactor faces a busy campaign next season. The NZ Cup on November 10 will be one of the highlights. Photo / Greg Bowker

Mark Purdon had achieved his most important victory of the week even before he heads to Alexandra Park tonight.

Purdon will be represented by five runners and is the man to follow in a Pick6 that could top $175,000.

But the Canterbury horseman's biggest moment of the week came not on the racetrack but in a wintry paddock on Wednesday morning.

That was when he picked up Auckland Reactor after his one-month spell and was thrilled with what he saw.

"He has filled out, strengthened and looks better than ever," says Purdon. "He is nice and round, which gives us a lot to work with."

Because Auckland Reactor was New Zealand's dominant pacer this season it is easy to forget he is just a 4-year-old and still has some maturing to do.

At times last campaign, he looked very light in condition compared with his fellow open-class stars and Purdon knows that had the stallion done poorly during his break, he would have had to be careful during the long season ahead.

A good spell means Auckland Reactor should be able to handle the rigours of what could be a record-breaking year.

Purdon expects him to be racing around mid-October, with the first major target the $1.2 million New Zealand Cup on November 10, which means exposing one of his Achilles heels, his standing start manners.

"I am going to give him a bit of practice at home but I am not sure he will ever be foolproof from a stand."

Purdon is coming to the end of a record season himself, having trained 112 winners for nearly $3.4 million in stakes in this country alone. And he is confident of adding to that tally tonight.

He rates his best chance Fight Fire With Fire, who meets a weak field outside of Little Big Sister in the $15,000 Breeders Cup.

While comprehensively beaten in her past two starts she does not meet any rivals of the calibre of recent conqueror Big Dog tonight.

"I have been happy with how she has been finding the line. The small field should help too and I think she can win," said Purdon.

Little Big Sister, who was unlucky to be attacked in front at Cambridge last week, looks the biggest danger, with Jazz Bromac the likely improver.

Purdon could dominate the feature trot too, with Lifeoftheparty and Heyzeal winning chances.

He will drive Lifeoftheparty, whom he rates as the better winning hope.

"He was a good second last week as it was hard to come wide on the wet track so he is the better chance, even though Heyzeal [to be driven by Nicole Molander] could probably win too."

Many Pick6 punters will be tempted to take both that pair, along with Central District visitor Raydon, who was a huge third last start.

Purdon kicks off Pick6 with Millwood Nebraska, who was an impressive last-start winner.

She has the services of talented junior driver Robert Butt and with a good draw will be hard to beat.

"She has a bit of gate speed and I think she races better right-handed."

With Pick6 guaranteed to $150,000 and likely to edge higher, it will be the focus for many punters, but those seeking an anchor could struggle, although several legs appear to have only two or three winning hopes.

CHAMP BACK

* Auckland Reactor is back in work.
* Trainer Mark Purdon says his star looks bigger than ever.
* He will start racing again in October and be aimed at the New Zealand Cup.
* Purdon could win as many as three races at Alexandra Park tonight.