Racing: Silver lining for Purdon in close second

Barry Purdon.

Champion trainer Barry Purdon could see at least some silver lining from one of the unluckiest group one defeats of his career.

Purdon's filly Ideal Belle was the proverbial certainty beaten behind Venus Serena in the $140,000 Nevele R Fillies Final at Addington on Saturday, overcoming a home bend gallop that cost her three lengths to be beaten a half neck.

That she could get so close to Venus Serena in national record time for the 1950m after appearing to lose her chance with her gallop provided Purdon some small consolation.

"It was a tough way to lose and I can't remember being much more unlucky than that in a race," said Purdon.

"But at least it showed under the right circumstances she has a shot at beating Venus Serena.

"Yes, we had the draw and the trail and the winner did fight back once we came at her but it gives me some confidence for the races coming up."

The pair meet again in the NZ Oaks on Friday night, with Ideal Belle's brave recovery on Saturday seeing her shorten into $4.50 second favouritism behind Venus Serena at $1.80.

As good as Ideal Belle was though, Venus Serena should be even better suited by the Oaks distance and should be fitter for Saturday's win.

Later on the rare Addington day programme, Alta Orlando gave galloping training great Jim Gibbs his richest success as a harness racing owner when he overcame tardiness to win the $200,000 Sales Series Pace.

The son of Courage Under Fire's manners don't match his motor yet but he looks a real Derby prospect for next season and still has the Sires' Stakes Final this Friday and the Harness Jewels to go.

The Jewels though will be tougher than Saturday's big win as Alta Orlando's unbeaten stablemate Follow The Stars returns from Australia for that race.

The day's other feature, the $60,000 Sires' Stakes Trot saw Wanna Play bolt in for trainer-driver and part-owner Natalie Rasmussen, as the juvenile trot crop continues to take turns winning the best races.

About the only consistent factor in the crop is sire Majestic Son, whose 2- and 3-year-olds continue to dominate as he puts his hoof up to be trotting's next champion stallion as Sundon's incredible career comes to an end.