Racing: Jack Cade takes Cup

Mark Purdon wasn't taking any credit for one of the best training performances of the season after Jack Cade won the Summer Cup at Alexandra Park last night.
Purdon has fought a three-year battle to keep Jack Cade sound and the gelding went into last night's $25,000 event short of peak fitness.

But his courage and class were enough to see him sit parked for the last mile and still outstay his rivals, with champion pacer Elsu just as impressive storming into second after starting from a 25m handicap.

After the race Purdon said Jack Cade could not won but for the efforts of Waiuku trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett.

The couple have been beach training Jack Cade for Purdon while he has been campaigning horses in Victoria and Purdon says they deserve much of the credit.

"Michelle and Bernie have done a great job and I can't thank them enough," said Purdon.

"It was a gutsy win in a race of that grade. It just goes to show what a great horse he is."

Purdon also spoke of his good friend and Jack Cade's former co-owner John Seaton, who died suddenly in Christchurch last month.

"This win is tinged with sadness but I am sure John is looking down and loving this," said Purdon.

Jack Cade will now start one of the favourites in next Friday's $250,000 Auckland Cup, where he gets a 10m start from Elsu and a 15m advantage over Just An Excuse.

"I think he has to be a huge hope but it will be a great race with all those other great horses in there."

Elsu lost little in defeat last night after a slight mid-race check that forced him back to the markers.

He worked clear at the 400m mark and flew home to just go down while Blue Chip Rock was a game third in his debut from trainer Barry Purdon's stable.

In fact few of the drivers came off the track disappointed.

* One of the greats of New Zealand harness racing is on the verge of a shock comeback.

Millionaire pacer Holmes D G only has to please trainer Barry Purdon in a private workout tomorrow morning to resume at Alexandra Park next Friday.

The 13-time group one winner has been nominated for a free-for-all in Auckland Cup night and Purdon says he is likely to start.

"It will all depend how he works on Christmas morning but I'd say he will race again," said Purdon.

Purdon put Holmes D G back in work two months ago after the 10-year-old started getting too active for his own good.

"He was tearing around his paddock so much I thought he was going to hurt himself.

"It was like he was telling me he isn't finished yet.

"So I put him back into light work to keep him out of trouble and he has been loving it.

"He has got bit quicker and a bit quicker and feels and looks great.

"I realise the days of him racing against the absolute best are over but I think he still wants to be a racehorse and if there are some easier races around for him then he might have a few starts.

"But I'd never do anything to risk him. If he ever gives me the feeling he wants out again then he will go straight back into the paddock."

Holmes D G has been at Alexandra Park favourite since his days of beating Christian Cullen in the Great Northern Derby in 1997.

Since then he has won an Auckland Cup, two Miracle Miles, a Victoria Cup, New Zealand Free-For-All and four Derbys on his way to a record $1.94 million in stakes.