Racing: Have faith in Purdon

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Horses with two duck eggs in their past two starts don't usually stand out as Pick6 anchors but The Faithful is an exception to that rule at Cambridge tonight.

The Barry Purdon-trained pacer begins his 4-year-old career in the last race of tonight's meeting on a quiet week for northern harness, with no Alexandra Park meeting.

While an initial glance at The Faithful's formline of -3700 hardly inspires confidence, he has been racing horses in a different stratosphere to those he meets tonight. His last start was in the Jewels won by Have Faith In Me just over two months ago while his best form has seen him pace 2:40 for tonight's 2200m, a time he won't be required to get near to win here.

So if he can lead or trail he should have too much speed for his rivals, many of whom have been racing on the weaker winter circuit.

The Faithful is one of two starters tonight for Purdon, kicking off his new season after his usual quieter winter period.

The other is Hartofdixie (R3), who, although she has a second-line draw, follows out a fast beginner so should be handy in the running line over 1700m.

Hartofdixie has warmed up for her resumption with two good performances at the Pukekohe workouts and gives Purdon a shot at bookending the $25,000 Pick6.

One must for Pick6 punters is Chosen Path (R4) another with a poor form line but in winning form at the workouts on this track last Saturday.

Tonight's meeting will provide harness punters with their first, of what is likely to become a regular, opportunity to multi-up horses from both tonight and tomorrow night's harness meetings at Addington.

The TAB is trialling a new opening time for Friday night harness fixed odds, which will be released at 6 tonight to bring the main harness meetings in line with Saturday thoroughbred meetings.