Racing: Sundon's Way could be back in winner's circle

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Sundon's Way could be in for an unusual experience on Saturday night - winning.

The open class trotter has emerged as the second best in New Zealand this season but still hasn't won a race since October.

Since then he has come through a mini form slump over the New Zealand Cup carnival to spend most of the summer chasing Lyell Creek around.

That has meant some decent second place cheques but a long break from the winner's circle.

But with Lyell Creek spelling Sundon's Way get his chance, even if he has to go all the way to Melbourne for it.

The Mark Purdon-trained trotter flew out last night to defend his Bill Collins Mile title at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.

And he is in the right shape to finally break his duck for the year.

Sundon's Way didn't beat much at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday but impressed driver Tony Herlihy with his performance.

"He trotted very well in a heat when they were rolling along a little bit and felt very good," said Herlihy.

"He trotted his last 2400m in 3:7 with his final half in 58.5 seconds so that is a pretty handy run.

"I know he is more of a stayer so the mile this week may not be ideal but I think he will be the one to beat."

Purdon will partner Sundon's Way, who will stay in Melbourne for another race the following Saturday.

While the New Zealand trotters have dominated their Australian rivals in recent seasons that doesn't guarantee Sundon's Way victory on Saturday night.

Because also on yesterday's flight was Pukekohe trotter Special Force.

He went through the worst form slump of his career over the Interdominions but returned to something like his best when third in the Rowe Cup last month.

And he maintained that improvement with an easy win in the Trotting Championships at Addington two weeks ago in the second fastest time trotted for 2600m mobile in New Zealand.

Now trainer Dave McGowan believes Special Force is back to his best, mainly because of the addition of blinds to his gear.

"I think over summer he may have been having us on sometimes," said McGowan.

"Since I put the blinds on him I think he is trying a lot harder and that showed at Addington when they went very hard but he won easily."

Special Force is the fastest trotter in Australasia over a mile, having recorded some stunning times during his successful European campaign last winter and McGowan admits he is looking forward to getting back to Melbourne with the former Interdom champ.

"A mobile mile on Saturday night should be right up his alley," he said.

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Pick Six punters owe the connections of Gracious Knight a thank you.

The exciting 3-year-old was likely to be spelled after completing a hat-trick of wins at Alexandra Park two weeks ago but will instead race there again on Friday night.

Which is a major bonus for punters chasing the $250,000 Pick Six jackpot.

The Warren Rich-Mike Berger-trained pacer looks the only anchor candidate in a tough Pick Six.

He contests the first leg of the Noel Taylor Junior Drivers Series, a new four-race series which will be held for the next three years as part of the on-going commitment to northern harness racing by the trustees of the estate of former ATC president Noel Taylor.

"Having this series gives the junior drivers a goal to aim for and also helps our chances of qualifying for the national junior drivers' champs in June," said leading northern junior driver Gene Robb.

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Northern 4-year-olds Classic Turbo and Pic Me Pockets could have some southern support when they take on Aussie champion Shakamaker next week.

The northerners have already been invited to the $A200,000 Chariots Of Fire in which they will clash with the Interdominion winner, who returned to racing with a ridiculously easy win at Echuca on Saturday night.

And they are likely to be joined by the Tim Butt-trained Pocket Me.

Pocket Me will accompany stablemate Happy Asset to the Sydney autumn carnival and Butt believes he has done enough to earn an invitation to the feature.

"He was only just beaten by Mac De Stroyer in the Taylor Mile when they paced 1:54.6 so I think he has shown he can race with the best," said Butt.

Pocket Me could also clash with his stablemate and Pic Me Pockets in the $A150,000 Ben Hurt a week later.

"He is good from a stand and could be hard to catch around Harold Park."

But Classic Turbo, so impressive winning from a stand at Alexandra Park last Thursday won't be hanging around for the Ben Hur, returning two days after the Chariots Of Fire.