Racing: Stable well placed to win mares' group one

Mark Purdon is hoping his pre-race luck continues until the actual event in tonight's $80,000 Breeders Stakes at Addington.

Purdon will present Breath Of Life, Joyfuljoy and Fight Fire With Fire for the group one feature and could hardly believe his ears when he heard the two favourites for the race in Kiwi Ingenuity and Lauraella were scratched this week because of injury.

"You don't wish that on any trainer or horse but it definitely makes our job easier," said Purdon.

But the scratching of Lauraella does present Breath Of Life with one problem Purdon wasn't expecting.

She now moves in to start from one on the second line, which hardly suits the long-striding, free-rolling mare.

"If she was drawn on the front line handy she would be our best chance," said Purdon.

"But from that draw to get off the markers she might have to go back to last and that means giving some good mares a start.

"I am not saying she can't win because she is in better form than the book suggests, she just hasn't had much luck."

Breath Of Life has already beaten the best mares in the country - including Kiwi Ingenuity, Nearea Franco and Lauraella - this season in record time for 2200m mobile.

She is one of the most improved pacers in the country and if her rivals go hard tonight they risk making the race for her.

But for all that Purdon favours Joyfuljoy as his best chance.

"She has been working really well and at her best is a very good mare," said Purdon.

"I can see her settling in front of Breath Of Life and with there not being much between them that could make a huge difference."

Cambridge mare Trigirl Brigade, with her high gate speed, should get the run of the race tonight and gets her best chance of group one glory after some near misses in the past year.

While Purdon is a little unsure what to expect tonight, he heads to Ashburton tomorrow far more confident.

He expects winning performances from juvenile Major Mark in the Sapling Stakes and Meredith Maguire in her heat of the Nevele R Fillies series.

Major Mark looks the best freshman pacer in the country after two huge wins in the Young Guns series at Alexandra Park and has drawn one tomorrow.

"He is working well and will have the speed to use barrier one so I would be disappointed if he doesn't win."

He will produce Meredith Maguire and Lancome in the fillies' heat but clearly opts for the former, even though Lancome won the Fillies Sales Series at Addington last Saturday.

"There is little between them and I think it only comes down to draws.

"Meredith Maguire has clearly the better draw on Saturday and she has the gate speed to use it so I think she will be in front and be too good."

The day's other feature at Ashburton looks a gift for The Fiery Ginga if the much travelled 3-year-old races up to his best.

He produced a stunning recovery in open-class company last week and is holding his form well after a torrid summer.

PURDON POWER
* Mark Purdon has three winning chances in the Breeders Stakes at Addington tonight.
* He can not choose between Breath Of Life and Joyfuljoy.
* He should win two of the feature races at Ashburton tomorrow with Major Mark and Meredith Maguire.