Racing: Spankem has serious rival in Hannon

Spankem is at short odds tomorrow. Photo / Stuart McCormick

Mark Purdon has two surprises for punters expecting Spankem to simply bolt away with tomorrow's Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.

The first is he doesn't believe the horse who won the Miracle Mile, Taylor Mile and Messenger when leading last season is actually at his best in front.

And the second surprise ties into the first, with Purdon suggesting Chase Auckland, who is rated the $6 third favourite, can upset $1.75 Spankem.

The 2600m standing start is the next step on the road to the New Zealand Cup and Chase Auckland led and outsprinted Spankem courtesy of the better run when they both resumed at Addington last Friday.

A fitter Spankem could be expected to press forward tomorrow and get the lead, from where he has been almost unbeatable in the last 12 months, but Purdon says they are not his ideal tactics. "I actually think he is a better horse with a sit when it comes to distance racing," admits Purdon.

"In the sprint races he has so much speed he can lead and get away with it but over a longer trip I prefer him driven with a sit because once you pull him out you are almost a passenger because he sprints so hard.

"So while he could end up in front this week I'd be just as happy to have one run at the leaders."

If that did eventuate then a good beginner like Chase Auckland, who could lead or trail again, might have a blowout hope of holding Spankem at bay again.

"I think Chase Auckland might end by being the one Spankem has to catch because we think Ultimate Sniper, being a stallion, might still be on the improve."

That Hannon sees Southland sensation U May Cullect step into open class for the first time and while he has the motor to handle it his co-trainer and driver Kirsten Barclay admits the ace draw is hardly ideal.

"It is the one place I didn't want to draw in his first full front-line start," says Barclay. "But if he gets too nervy at least there is a bit of room down there and he can end up inside the markers and come back out."

So does Barclay think her pride and joy is ready to take the race to the Purdon superstars?

"If he can stay handy I think he can run with them but I don't think we are ready to be parking them out and going to war with them yet."

Earlier in the meeting Oscar Bonavena starts the hottest favourite of the entire racing weekend in the main trot and Purdon says he is trotting faultlessly and he expects him to win.