Racing: Purdon happy to stay home

I Can Doosit (outer) is one of the top prospects for the Rowe Cup. Photo / Natalie Slade

Few horsemen could afford to walk away from driving a hot favourite in a $400,000 race.

Mark Purdon couldn't afford not to.

The champion horseman could have been in Melbourne tonight driving his stable's unbeaten 2-year-old Fly Like An Eagle in the Australian Pacing Gold Final, a race worth almost NZ$400,000.

Purdon feels he needs to be at Alexandra Park for tonight's premier meeting and that loyalty could be rewarded in the $200,000 Canam Rowe Cup.

"I'd love to be in Melbourne for their big race, too, but I have too many good chances in big races here this week and there's also a sentimental aspect, with I Can Doosit having just won an Interdominion," said Purdon.

Purdon has anything but an easy assignment in the Rowe Cup, with I Can Doosit facing a second-line draw while most of his key rivals are drawn to be handy and on the marker pegs.

"The second-line draw doesn't worry me too much over 3200m because he can settle and move into the race, which suits his style.

"But it won't be an easy race to win."

I Can Doosit should have beaten arch rival Stylish Monarch at Addington last start but peaked on his run 100m from home.

"I think he will be better this week and he will need to be."

The Rowe has drawn a fine, even field with Stylish Monarch the most likely candidate to be in the right place at the time.

He should lead or trail but getting further back would present him with problems as he takes a while to wind up and the shorter Alexandra Park straight doesn't suit him as well at Addington.

Sovereignty will enjoy being off the front line and gets his chance while the best value in the race could be Raydon.

He was outstanding winning last week and was one of the stars of the Interdominions.

He is beginning faster from a stand these days and will love the 3200m so is a definite winning chance, with Springbank Richard the best blowout hope.

Purdon brings Russley Rascal back from a luckless Australian campaign but he faces a very tough draw in tonight's Messenger Pace.

"He will need luck to win from there but he is well."

But his stable dominates one of tonight's other features, the $170,000 Sires' Stakes Final.

Veste has looked the best 2-year-old pacing filly in the country but will start from the outside of the front line over 1700m, which presents her consistent stablemate Dancing Diamonds with her chance to beat her.

"I think there wouldn't be much between them with the way the draws have panned out," said Purdon.

Just as talented as the Purdon pair but poorly served by the draw is Cowgirls N Indians, who was brilliant at Cambridge last Thursday but will need a David Butcher miracle drive to win tonight.

Meanwhile, Fly Like An Eagle will be in good hands at Melton in Purdon's absence tonight, with Gavin Lang taking the reins.

"I think he is the horse to beat and he will be fitter than when he won there last Friday but Soho Valencia will be hard to beat," said Purdon.

PREMIER NIGHT

* Alexandra Park hosts one of its richest nights of the season tonight.
* I Can Doosit heads a hot Canam Rowe Cup field.
* Smiling Shard will be the warm favourite in the Messenger.
* There are two other group ones on the glamour programme.