Racing: Life at last taking a turn for the better

After 22 months of hell something has finally gone right for Young Rufus.

So it could be time for punters to jump back on the former superstar's bandwagon in the A$100,000 South Australia Cup in Adelaide tomorrow night.

Two years ago Young Rufus was the hottest horse in harness racing, having just won the Auckland Cup by seven lengths, and he was about to win the Victoria Cup in track record time.

Since then life has been a disaster. And almost over.

A twisted bowel in March 2003 took him as close to death as a horse ever wants to go and ever since then Young Rufus has been playing catch up. And losing.

When he finally made it back to the track last season he was a pale imitation of the freak of his five-year-old season and he was retired after winning just one poor race at Addington.

But so bad was his form nobody even wanted to buy him for a stallion and as a last resort he was put back into work, even though trainer Mark Purdon wasn't that willing a participant.

This season he has looked more like his old self but luck has deserted him, like in the New Zealand Cup when he broke and lost 40m before producing a staggering recovery.

Then it was on to Melbourne for some more luckless runs, chasing home Sokyola as he enjoyed easy trips and Young Rufus had to cover extra ground.

So you sort of get the idea life hasn't exactly been a giant party for Young Rufus since that Victoria Cup win 22 months ago.

But that could all change tomorrow night because the Grand Circuit race looks perfect for the black stallion.

Not only has he drawn barrier three but Australia's all-conquering hero Sokyola has drawn the inside of the second line, with Victoria Cup runner-up Hexus alongside him.

With only two outsiders drawn inside him Young Rufus is a huge chance to lead, and racing at Globe Derby is all about who leads, a fact not lost on Purdon, who will be driving.

"I will be trying to get the lead and if he does I think he will win," was Purdon's blunt assessment of the 2645m event.

"He has been going great races sitting parked outside Sokyola but I don't think he can sit parked outside us and win.

"We will find out this week."

Young Rufus ran Sokyola close after racing outside him in the Casey Classic at Moonee Valley last start and Purdon says he will be a far better horse tomorrow night.

"He had an excuse that night," he explains.

"He got some grit under his bar shoe the day before the race and it affected him enough to make the difference.

"He is back to his best now and this looks the perfect opportunity for him."

While Young Rufus has produced some great displays of stamina this season he has on other occasions, such as the Victoria Cup, lacked a high finishing kick.

Purdon says he will try to turn that into a strength tomorrow night.

"He is a bit older these days and doesn't have the high speed but I think he is a better stayer, which means the front would be the place to be.

"That way if they want to put the pressure on he will love it and whoever is parked will have to do it hard."

The draws may even see Young Rufus start favourite on some Australian totes, with Sokyola likely to need a miracle to get off the markers and then work into the race without spending too much energy.

One thing is for sure. If Young Rufus can't beat Sokyola tomorrow night, he will never beat him again.