Racing: Purdon to make impact

Most people are willing to concede tonight's $100,000 PGG Sales Series Pace to Mach Banner - but not Barry Purdon.

The Hall of Fame horseman said while Mach Banner was the horse to beat tonight he could upset him with Cullen's Impact.

The pair dominate the feature race at the final premier meeting of the season and Purdon is confident he can extract some revenge on the southerner.

The 1700m event is restricted to Northern Hemisphere time-bred horses and most clashed in the prelude last Friday.

On that occasion Mach Banner led and Cullen's Impact trailed, with the former sprinting too sharply to win on debut.

But tonight, Cullen's Impact has barrier one with Mach Banner alongside and Purdon says he doesn't want to trail again.

"Last week we went too slow and I couldn't outsprint the other horse," said Purdon.

"So this week I'd rather stay in front if I can.

"He [Cullen's Impact] is a good rolling type of horse and I think we have a good chance. If Mach Banner still beats us then that is fine, but I am not going to concede at the start and let it become a walking race."

That sort of determination has marked Purdon's driving style throughout his career, with many good judges believing he should have driven more winners during his stellar training career.

When aggressive and in front he is a force to be reckoned with and his attitude heading into to tonight's race may slightly loosen Mach Banner's domination of the market.

Mach Banner was impressive though last week and is still clearly the horse to beat, especially as he has thrived since last Friday's win and should be a better horse tonight.

Purdon and training partner Scott Phelan line up three representatives tonight and all are winning chances in the biggest races of the night.

Big Dog will start a warm favourite in the $25,000 Reg Clapp Winter Cup, while Calamity Gal is back to her best at the right time for the $35,000 Nevele R Breeders Stakes.

Big Dog is a former winner of the NHT Sales race but missed much of his 3- and 4-year-old seasons through injury.

That 18-month break meant it took a few starts for him to develop race fitness when he returned in January but since then he has been consistent.

He handled his first standing start well to win in this grade last time out and looks too sharp for what is mainly a journeyman field tonight.

"He is a brave little horse and he has to be hard to beat if he steps away as well tonight as he did last time."

Calamity Gal made the most of a perfect drive from Phelan last Friday to win a weaker race, so goes back to the 20m mark in tonight's big trot.

She meets top-class mares like Our Sunny Whiz and Extasia but in a large field they will need plenty of luck to overcome their bigger handicaps.

"It was a good win last week and a great drive by Scott," said Purdon.

"Sure it is tougher this but she has good speed and is going to be an each-way chance."