KEY POINTS:
Mark Purdon's travel plans are the best indication of his confidence levels with Auckland Reactor in today's $300,000 New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington.
The unbeaten pacer faces his greatest test when he takes on Tuesday's New Zealand Cup hero Changeover as well as the rest of the open
class elite in today's sprint.
It shapes as one of the toughest open class debuts possible, taking on older, race-hardened stars after only two starts this season.
But Purdon is so confident of victory he has already accepted an invitation to the A$500,000 Miracle Mile in Sydney in two weeks.
He has no real reason to do so. He could have waited until after today's race.
But he had no hesitation when asked by Sydney harness racing bosses, to say he was going to Sydney.
Considering that means a clash with one of the hottest fields assembled in the past decade, Purdon must think he is going to win today.
And he does.
While Auckland Reactor has yet to race in open class, everything he has done in his career has labelled him a champion.
He has run record sectional times, has raced tough in group one company, and two starts ago he destroyed Nearea Franco after giving her a 10-length start at Ashburton.
The latter came out next start and all but won the Kaikoura Cup, suggesting Auckland Reactor could be the most talented pacer in the country.
From barrier four today Purdon expects to work his way to the lead and if he does - and doesn't cop excessive mid-race pressure - he could pace his last 800m in under 54 seconds.
That would make him near impossible to catch.
"I think he can do that," says Purdon, who rates the 4-year-old the best of his long list of champion pacers.
"He is very, very well and just jogged it here on Tuesday.
"I don't see any of the horses inside us wanting to hold us out for the lead."
If Purdon's summation of the race is right, then Auckland Reactor should win.
The one possible snag is the attitude of rival drivers Craig Thornley (Nearea Franco) and Tony Herlihy (Gotta Go Cullen) drawn inside him.
Herlihy is likely to accept a sit as Gotta Go Cullen was only average in the Cup on Tuesday and his best performances have been when coming from the trail.
But trainer Steven McRae says he would be happy to see Thornley try and hold the lead on the much-improved Nearea Franco.
"I have put the blinds on her for Friday and that wakes her up off the gate," said McRae.
"I would like to see her in front and happy for her to stay there but a lot will depend how much pressure there is. If they really pour it [speed] on maybe we will have to hand up - but I will leave the final decision to Craig."
The greatest beneficiary of any early speed duel would be Changeover, who should be sitting midfield on the outer. He has come through his record-breaking Cup win in superb order but his best performances have always been when racing on the pace.
It is doubtful he can outsprint Auckland Reactor, so early and mid-race pressure are key to his chances.
The same applies to both Cup runner-up Baileys Dream and stablemate Monkey King, although the latter would need a stunning form reversal after a dreadful Cup performance.
TOUGHEST TEST
* Auckland Reactor makes his open class debut in a star-studded New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington today.
* The champion pacer has drawn best of the big names and is rated a $1.30 winning chance.
* Trainer Mark Purdon is so confident he has already accepted an invitation to the Miracle Mile in a fortnight.
