By Michael Guerin
Mark Purdon was not worried about Australia's big guns as he loaded Bogan Fella on a plane for Sydney last weekend.
In fact, Bogan Fella's biggest dangers as he prepares for Friday night's $A150,000 Ben Hur at Harold Park are so small you can't even see them.
Bogan Fella has thrilled Purdon in his preparation for the final Grand Circuit race of the season in which he will be the joint backmarker over 2900m.
He sprinted a strong last 800m in 56.5 seconds to win at the Alexandra Park workouts on Saturday before pleasing Purdon with a blazing workout yesterday.
So Purdon isn't worried about Bogan Fella's fitness - just his health.
On previous trips away Bogan Fella has shown his talent on the track is only surpasses by his ability to pick up viruses, as he has done in Christchurch and Brisbane before.
And that was Purdon's biggest worry last night.
"He has had a shocking run with getting sick when he is away and I just hope it doesn't happen this time," said Purdon.
"I should know within the first 24 hours whether he is going to be all right."
Staying healthy could be Bogan Fella's only worry if Purdon's confidence level in anything to go by.
While the gelding hasn't raced since his gutsy third in the Interdominion Grand Final, Purdon says Bogan Fella will not lack for fitness on Friday night.
"I couldn't be happier with him and it is going to take a good horse to beat him," he said.
"He has had two Saturday workouts and has done everything I asked of him. He will be ready."
Purdon will drive Bogan Fella on Friday night, forcing a driver change for Sunny Action in Friday night's Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park.
Bogan Fella is the likely favourite for Ben Hur after the failure of race-rival and Kiwi mare Adio Routine in Sydney last Friday.
The South Island mare disappointed in a mobile mile event and may have been feeling the effects of a hard race a week earlier.
Last season's winner Happy Asset, who was a costly failure at Alexandra Park last Friday night, will also be at Harold Park to defend his title.
Horse Racing: Illness Purdon's biggest worry
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