Racing: Purdon reckons his best chances are in the trot events

The Orange Agent could repel the Purdon team today. Photo / Trish Dunell

The most powerful juggernaut in the history of New Zealand premier racing might not be quite so intimidating at Alexandra Park today.

While the Purdon-Rasmussen machine won't exactly grind to a halt, the boss says he expects the momentum to slow. The country's leading stable has been in simply embarrassing premier form this summer, highlighted by winning seven races including two group ones at Addington on New Zealand Cup Day.

They followed that with sets of six and five winners at Alexandra Park's major meeting this month to make the extraordinary look effortless.

However, some outstanding rivals and tricky draws have Purdon tipping the spoils at today's meeting could be more evenly spread.

"The way the meeting looks, we could have a good day and still only win two races," says Purdon.

"The standard of fields are very tough and they are going very quick there at the moment."

The two biggest races for the Purdon-Rasmussen stable are the Sales Series Pace and the Sires' Stakes for the fillies and, while they have good numbers of high-class contenders, they also meet some tough opponents.

The Orange Agent is so good she deserves to be favourite over the Pur-Ras fillies, with Purdon opting for Classical Art as the best of their four, even though she is the least experienced. "She was good enough last start, even though The Orange Agent beat her easily, and she should improve," he told the Herald.

"With the draw, I favour her over the likes of Supersonic Miss, who I think will be fitter for her run at Cambridge.

"But The Orange Agent was very, very good beating us last start and she will take a lot of beating."

Purdon has a point, with The Orange Agent having real x-factor.

With Sires' Stakes quinella-mates Have Faith In Me and Hug The Wind in the Sales Series the stable has plenty of class, with Have Faith In Me rated their better chance from barrier three.

"A lot will depend on what Mighty Flying Major does but, if he leads and Express Stride trails, then they will be hard to beat, too. I think the top four or five there are very even so it might come down to the runs."

It is the trotters where Purdon sees today's best results coming, with serious winning chances in three races.

"Petite One (R2) ran on really well last start and, while she has barrier one from the stand, if she trots all the way she will be one of our best chances for the day."

Wanna Play (R4) had a brutally-hard run last start but gets the ace in a suitable 2200m mobile this afternoon, her biggest concern being the gate speed of several of those outside her.

"She is a good filly, though, and again she will be hard."

Paramount Queen (R6) drops hugely in class, having pushed Stent to a national record-equalling 1:54.5 mile at Cambridge last week, and has the added bonus of getting a 10m handicapping relief, making her clearly the trotter to beat in a strong field.

"We also have Hot Pants in there and she is going well but Paramount Queen was very strong last week."

One crucial note for punters is Purdon having his fears with Lazarus in race three, where he has drawn the outside of the front line.

He was professional winning the first heat of the Young Guns series last start but with the placegetters that night, Swamp Major and Kimani, drawn inside him they get a serious shot at revenge.