Racing: Gold Ace in box seat at park

The odds on Gold Ace (No2) have shortened into $1.60 after Pembrook Benny was withdrawn. Picture / Sarah Ivey

Scratching of key rival removes major obstacle to pacer making it back-to-back wins

Gold Ace's comeback to credibility has received another boost heading into tomorrow night's stunning premier meeting at Alexandra Park.

The scratching of key rival Pembrook Benny from the $30,000 Founders 1700m has removed the major obstacle from Gold Ace making it back-to-back wins in the small sprint field.

Gold Ace opened the $2.30 favourite with the TAB yesterday morning but shortened into $1.60 after Pembrook Benny, drawn directly inside him, was withdrawn.

"He banged a knee somewhere and we had to treat it, which meant he couldn't race," said trainer Barry Purdon.

"It is nothing serious though so he should be fine for Alexandra Park on New Year's Eve and the Flying Mile at Cambridge [Jan 9]."

That means Gold Ace faces just four rivals in the group three race and greatly increases his chances of blasting to the lead as he looks to continue on from his all the way last start win.

That was his first Alexandra Park success in over three years and his first win since rejoining Steven Reid and Simon McMullen from the McCarthy stable in Sydney.

With his blazing gate speed and the Flying Mile just weeks away he could be in for a far more profitable summer than looked likely, especially as big guns like Christen Me and Terror To Love are having Christmas breaks.

His early involvement and the Alexandra Park debut of Dalton Bromac in tomorrow night's opening race sets up one of the stronger December premier meetings seen at Alexandra Park in years.

Adore Me is the $1.22 favourite for the group one Queen Of Hearts even drawn the inside of the second line, with trainer-driver Mark Purdon indicating on The Box Seat TV show last night he would be looking to punch through early behind potential leader Helena Jet.

"I think Helena Jet is the second best mare in the race and likely to lead so I'd rather do that than go back and try to come around them all," he said. Purdon and training partner Natalie Rasmussen also have enormous roles to play in the $75,000 Peter Breckon Memorial and the $50,000 Alabar Classic.

Linda Lovegrace, with the inside draw, was the first horse backed seriously when the feature race markets opened yesterday, and at $3.20 was nudging excitement machine The Orange Agent's $3 quote last night.

Purdon opts for Sires' Stakes winner Have Faith In Me as narrowly the stable's next chance of three standouts in the Alabar Classic but the bookies see it the other way, having Hug The Wind the $2.40 top pick over Have Faith In Me at $2.70.

The other group race of the night sees Stent return to Alexandra Park and his beloved mobile short course racing in the $40,000 Rosslands Lyell Creek Stakes.

That combination and a good draw have seen him open a $2.50 favourite over Prime Power at $3.60 in a line-up that also includes Sheemon and Irish Whisper.

Tonight's Cambridge meeting sees an increasingly rare $150,000 Pick6 starting on race three.

Those looking for a genuine anchor may struggle but Kate Caterina (race six) has the gate speed and ability to be close to the best of the night.

Otago driver Mick Prendergast set a record for the oldest horseperson to rein a winner in New Zealand at Forbury Park last night.

The 81-year-old owns, trains and drove Holdon Toyaspurs to a half-length win in the maiden trot, surpassing Doug McCormick as New Zealand's oldest winning reinsman.

Premier night
• Pembrook Benny's scratching aids Gold Ace at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.
• Adore Me opens a $1.22 favourite for the group one Queen Of Hearts.
• Tonight's Cambridge meeting has a $150,000 Pick6.
• Otago 81-year-old Mick Prendergast set a record for NZ's oldest winning driver last night.