Racing: Burrows has point to prove

Phil Burrows always thought he had the horse to beat in tonight's Sires' Stakes at Alexandra Park - he just didn't think it was Pacific Rapture.

The Canterbury trainer is living his dream, with his tiny filly looking for her second $170,000 win in a week, with last Friday's Sales Series achievement already the highlight of Burrows' career.

But it could have been so different as he doesn't even rate Pacific Rapture his best filly, that honour sitting with race rival Seven Point One.

"A few weeks ago, she was our best filly and our best chance of a big win," said Burrows of Seven Point One.

"But since then nothing has gone right for her and she has had a blood problem this week. And then she gets the worst draw for this race and Pacific Rapture gets the perfect one.

"I still think there is very little between them but Pacific Rapture is our best chance of winning again."

She led then trailed last Friday for a passing lane win and driver Gavin Smith has the chance to attempt similar tactics tonight.

"And I am sure she is better than last week so she will be hard to beat."

Pacific Rapture will need to be though as some of the big names who missed last Friday's race, Opulent, La Norvic De Milo and Askmenow, join her rivals tonight.

Opulent has tremendous speed but doesn't quite know how to use it yet. She has the draw in her favour, while La Norvic De Milo could even be the best of this crop but faces a tricky draw over the 1700m.

Tonight's other group one should also go to a filly, with superstar Escapee ready to pay back punters, who she burned last Friday, in tonight's $80,000 Trotting Derby.

But even if she doesn't behave herself, Lotalov won well enough last Friday to suggest the Derby is going to the girls.