Racing: Major Mark leads New Zealand defence

Major Mark is New Zealand's best hope of beating Sushi Sushi in the Derby. Photo / Natalie Slade

Major Mark has the perfect draw for tonight's $400,000 Woodlands Derby at Alexandra Park - well, as perfect as he could have got.

The leading Kiwi chance in the race has drawn one on the second line, following out $1.50 favourite Sushi Sushi. Which trainer-driver Mark Purdon says is just fine.

"Once Sushi Sushi got barrier one before us at the barrier draw there was only one marble I wanted.

"I am sure he [Sushi Sushi] is going to lead and I find it hard to imagine he is going to hand up because he is the horse to beat.

"So we should get the trail behind him and I think from there we should have a fair shot."

While the Derby is one of the deepest since the epic 1999 clash between Christian Cullen and Holmes D G, the draw could mean the two favourites are the only serious winning chances.

Sushi Sushi was awesome winning the Victoria Derby two starts ago and made as good a fist of his Alexandra Park debut as any Australian horse could last Friday.

He led easily, hung slightly and over-raced but was still too good for Terror To Love.

His trainer Freddy Taiba is adamant Sushi Sushi will be better for the experience and won't pull as hard with a run under his belt. "We hadn't done much with him since he won the Victoria Derby so you will see a better horse this week."

If he stays in front with Major Mark on his back it is hard to see any of the rivals covering more ground and beating them. So, effectively, it is Sushi Sushi's Derby to lose.

Which means the two questions punters need to ask themselves are: do they take the $1.50 on offer for Sushi Sushi and/or do they think Major Mark can run past him?

The answer to the first should be no because while Sushi Sushi could be a budding champion, $1.50 in a Derby should be reserved for 3-year-olds as dominant as a Courage Under Fire.

Also, Sushi Sushi will be racing over 2700m for the first time, meaning any slight tendency to over-race could be punished by Major Mark, or even a rival like Terror To Love, Royal Verdict or Excel Stride.

Major Mark has thrilled Purdon with his form in recent weeks, his trainer believing two easy recent kills in Victoria have helped his confidence return. "He won very easily last week and he had worked good and strong this week."

While he is confident Major Mark and stablemate Hands Christian will acquit themselves well in the classic tonight, he says he has no real idea what to expect from Auckland Reactor in the Cup.

The great enigma of Australasian pacing dropped out to finish last in the free-for-all last Friday when Purdon said he was too fresh and pulled too hard.

But from a wide barrier tonight with plenty of gate speed inside him he faces working hard if he goes forward and pulling again, or trying to settle midfield, which really doesn't suit him.

"It looks like a fast front line so we might not go forward.

"He feels good and I don't think he will pull as hard again but I am more hopeful than confident."

Meanwhile, Purdon is hoping Fly Like An Eagle can pay back his owners in tonight's $125,000 Breckon Bloodstock Cardigan Bay Stakes after a recent feed mix-up saw him return a positive swab in a heat of the series.

The star 2-year-old was accidentally fed a substance inside the four-day withholding period by a staff member before his last race and the resulting positive means he will almost certainly be disqualified.

The accident should result in just a fine for Purdon but he is still keen to repay the owners tonight in the richest 2-year-old race of the season so far.

"What happened was just a misunderstanding but I feel terrible for the owners so I am hoping he goes well for them this week and I think he will."

Purdon also has the favourites Veste and O Baby in the $100,000 Delightful Lady Classic tonight.

CUP NIGHT WINNERS

Alexandra Park

*Best bet: Jarcullembra (R1, No 5): Raced in Derby heat and had no luck last Friday. This looks perfect.

* Best each way: Major Mark (R6, No 9): Might not beat Sushi Sushi but looks the only danger and should run a place.

* Should win: Choise Achiever (R4, No 8): If he is going to be an Interdominion candidate has to beat these.

* Danger horse: Ideal Scott (R7, No 2): Best draw yet and can give the favourite some trouble. Obvious quinella with Fly Like An Eagle.

* Kiwi pride: Sovereignty (R9, No 2): On a night when the Aussies should shine the Cambridge trotter has the draw to challenge Sundon's Gift.

* Best bolter: Swift Therapy (R3, No 2): Has become punters' enemy but this race could pan out well for him. Worth one more chance.