By MICHAEL GUERIN
Mark Purdon hasn't worked out how to beat Lyell Creek in tonight's Rowe Cup - but he has worked out how to make life difficult for the champ.
Purdon is making a four-horse assault on the $100,000 Cup in an attempt to deny Lyell Creek the perfect season.
He rates Sundon's Way, who has spent most of the season chasing Lyell Creek in vain, clearly his top chance and wants to put as much ground between himself and the champ early in the 3200m thriller.
"The best chance we have of beating him is to get to the front and stay there," said Purdon. "Hopefully we can get away in the first four. If I can get the lead quickly maybe Lyell Creek will be a dozen lengths off us.
"I have chased him home too many times to say I can beat him but if I can put some ground between us at least then luck comes into it."
Purdon believes had Lyell Creek not received such a comfortable three-wide drag into last week's City Of Sails Trot then Sundon's Way would have beaten him.
"I know how hard he will be to beat tonight but we won't be handing it to him. If I get the front I will want to stay there."
While Sundon's Way's best form is over sprint trips, he did run second in last season's Dominion Handicap so the 3200m should not bother him.
"He has improved with last week's run but the concern for me is that Lyell Creek probably has too."
Purdon rates Africa the second best chance of his quartet.
"She will love the 3200m and these races suit her because the pace is usually on."
Purdon's brother Barry also gives himself a chance of beating Lyell Creek with Mountain Gold but both are realistic.
Like anybody who has watched the major trotting races this season they know Lyell Creek would need to be unlucky or below par to be beaten.
While he faces a 15m handicap, the push out rule means driver Anthony Butt should be able to get handy without encountering traffic problems and from there he will simply outstay most of his rivals.
While Purdon wants to win the Rowe Cup from in front, tonight's other feature, the $75,000 Adecco And TAD Messenger, looks more likely to fall to a leader.
That could be Classic Turbo, who produced the run of the race to come from third last for third in last Friday's Taylor Mile.
"He came through the Mile last week well and his blood tests are perfect so I don't think I could have him any better," said trainer John MacQuibban.
Classic Turbo has the gate speed to get handy early and it would not surprise to see him reach the front. That role should fall to Pic Me Pockets early but his driver Tony Herlihy used to be the regular driver of Classic Turbo so knows what enormous stamina the latter has.
That could be enough to convince him to take a trail behind Classic Turbo, from where the two would have advantages over their rivals who have to work into the race wide.
Mac De Stroyer was brilliant winning the Taylor Mile last week and is also a great stayer so the 2700m will not worry him but this could be a tough race for those covering extra ground.
Of those beaten last week OK Chevalier was one of the gamest and could help boost the trifecta dividend over a distance that will suit him better than last Friday's mile.
His trainer-driver David Butt looks certain to add the first feature of tonight's premier meeting when he partners Enthusiast in the Rosso Antico Stakes, where Liar Liar will be suited by the 2700m and looks the likely quinella.
Racing: All-out attack to deny Freak
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