Racing: Big night looms for partners at Cambridge

Three of the biggest movers of the harness racing season give the Barry Purdon-Scott Phelan stable a shot at a feature-race treble at Cambridge tonight.

The in-form stable will line up Four Starzzz Flash in the Waikato Guineas, Pembrook Benny in the Flying Mile and Raydon in the Flying Stakes for the trotters.

All three have been huge movers in their respective grades this season, coming from well down the rankings to rate in the top five of their gait or age.

Four Starzzz Flash, who joined the stable only last month, has been the biggest mover, starting the season as a maiden and now looking a genuine Woodlands Northern Derby winning chance.

Which is why co-trainer Phelan is so excited to be gifted a race night drive on the 3-year-old tonight.

"I am thrilled to get on him because he is a really good horse," said Phelan.

"His win at Alexandra Park last start was huge and I think he could be even better suited left-handed because he has had more experience that way."

Four Starzzz Flash sat three wide before defeating Smiling Shard in the Elsu Classic last start but will need to be just as good tonight in a hot field.

The Mark Purdon representative Russley Rascal opened the $2.80 favourite with bookmakers yesterday but there are at least two other chances, with Sir Lincoln and Kotare Mach, stablemate of the favourite, also good enough in recent outings to suggest they can win with the right run tonight.

While also attracting a fine field, the $60,000 Flying Mile has two obvious standouts in Pembrook Benny and Changeover.

They are the two big names drawn off the front line and both have the gate speed to go forward and race handy, which is crucial over a mile at Cambridge.

Pembrook Benny should have the speed to hold Changeover at the start but with the latter's stablemate Awesome Armbro also drawn to be a factor early, Changeover would appear to have more chance of racing to an early lead.

"That will be crucial, what happens early," said Phelan.

"They look the two to beat and Benny is really well but miles at Cambridge can be tricky."

The depth of the field means last-start winners Tintin In America and Highview Tommy could also win if the leaders go supersonic early, but unless something crazy happens either Pembrook Benny or Changeover should win.

Changeover has not been the force of old this season, being run down by Highview Tommy at his last start, but comes into this race well and tends to be a better horse left-handed.

The trot is the most fascinating race of the night, with Raydon facing a huge task from the second line.

But such has been the steepness of his improvement curve in the past two months he can now lay claim to being one of, if not the best, trotters racing in the country.

His second in last Thursday's National Trot was stunning, as was his recovery.

"He was good as gold the next day, he is just one of those horses who can cop the hard runs," said Phelan.

While few horses are good enough to overcome a second line draw over 1700m at Cambridge, especially at the elite level, Raydon, to be driven by Barry Purdon, does follow out a good beginner in Sno's Big Boy and could settle midfield on the outer in a race with plenty of early speed.

"We know it won't be easy for him but he really is a top horse and I still think he can win."

FLYING NIGHT
* Cambridge hosts its biggest night of the season tonight.
* The Purdon-Phelan stable have favoured runners in all three major races.
* Four Starzzz Flash has been a huge mover in the 3-year-old ranks.
* Tonight's meeting also sees $25,000 bonus pools in the quaddie, the First4 on race four and trifecta on race six.