Racing: One-on-one for the Warrior

Christian Warrior's best chance would be if Mombassa and Changeover get into an early speed duel.

Christian Warrior has a secret weapon on his side in the richest juvenile race of the season at Addington today - some one-on-one time with the boss.

The northern pacer faces a second line draw and big name pacers Mombassa and Changeover in the $200,000 PGG Wrightsons Sales Series Pace, which would suggest he may struggle to win.

But he looms as the each way value in the race, not only because of his manners and speed but the almost fulltime attention he has had from training legend Barry Purdon this week.

While any Purdon-trained pacer deserves respect in a feature race the best trainers are to be feared most when they travel with just one or two horses, giving them the time to hone them into sharp racing weapons.

And that has been Christian Warrior's privilege this week, with Purdon looking after just him and stablemate Cruzee Lass, who competes in today's $100,000 Nevele R Fillies Final.

"There is nothing I like more than getting away with just one or two horses and spending a lot of time on them," said Purdon.

"I am sure that is when horses get the best results - when their trainers get more time to devote to them.

"I don't just mean that for me but any busy trainer.

"It is something we would all like to do more of."

Purdon has that opportunity more often these days as he specialises in a slightly smaller team than a decade ago when he dominated the trainers' premiership and regularly travelled five or six horses south.

"When you are one-on-one with a horse you get to know them better and probably notice small things you may not when you are trying to manage 20 or 30.

"So here's hoping it helps this weekend."

Purdon believes Christian Warrior can upset the favourites today because he has continued to improve through the season, whereas Mombassa's form appears to have flatlined.

"That is the key with the young horses, how much they keep improving with racing and this horse has."

Christian Warrior's natural talent meant he raced forward in many of his starts this season but Purdon believes today's second-line draw may force driver Brent Mangos to adopt sit-sprint tactics.

"Both Brent and I think that is how he is best driven so while it won't be easy to run past the leaders, if we get some speed early then maybe we have a hope.

"He can sprint a quick quarter and I am very happy with him."

Christian Warrior rounded out his preparation for the meeting today with an easy win over talented filly Geld Bromac at the Alexandra Park workouts last weekend and has travelled south well.

His best chance of victory would appear to be if Mombassa and Changeover get into an early speed duel to set the race up for a swooper.

"They will both be hard to beat and there are a few other handy horses in there but I think mine is as good as the rest."

Purdon faces an even worse draw with Cruzee Lass in the Nevele R Fillies Final and dreads the thought of favourite Western Dream getting an easy lead.

"She is a very good filly and she get her own way in front then we would struggle to catch her," the trainer said.

"But this filly did come from last for second in the Great Northern Oaks so she can do it.

"The only problem is that was 2700m while this is a sprint so she is going to need a lot of luck."