KEY POINTS:
Mark Purdon knows tonight is his big chance on two fronts.
Purdon will produce two of the favourites in the main races at Addington - Top Tempo (race eight) and Classic Cullen (nine) and when he looks ahead to the rest of the season, tonight's races become that
much more important.
Top Tempo is the best filly in the $150,000 PGG Wrightson Sales Series Pace and it is a rare chance for her to chase big money without champion opponent One Dream in her way.
"I was really looking forward to not having to take on One Dream and then we ended up copping the worst draw instead," said Purdon.
Even with that disadvantage, Top Tempo will start a warm favourite in the 1950m event, especially as key rivals Reality Check (barrier one), The Black Pearl (four) and Spicey (13) have all struggled to maintain their best form this season.
"It won't be easy to win from that draw but she has been working very well and has come through her Invercargill win well."
While Classic Cullen doesn't have a bad draw to overcome, he does face Monkey King and The Flyin Doctor in the Avon City Ford Mobile over 2600m.
Purdon is well aware that Classic Cullen needs a win in the next three weeks to make the Auckland Trotting Cup field and says it could come tonight.
"I realise he has to get some winning form and I wouldn't be surprised if it was this week," he said.
"He went well at the workouts last week and goes well fresh, so I think he has got his chance."
Purdon says he will attempt to use Classic Cullen's gate speed to go forward and then dominate the race to try to outsprint the favourite, Monkey King.
"We have set him for the Auckland Cup all along, so he is ready to go."
Monkey King was awesome even in defeat at Forbury Park last Friday and will be aided by the small field, while The Flyin Doctor is another for whom tonight's race is crucial to his Auckland Cup hopes.
Purdon says punters following his two-year-old fillies in race five tonight should opt for Fight Fire With Fire.
"My fillies aren't as strong as my colts this season but from the draws tonight she would be my best chance."