Racing: Clash set to be classic at Addington

Even from a wide draw Major Mark (1) gets his best chance to claim a win today. Photo / Christine Cornege

Take the chance on Major Mark getting some revenge at Addington today.

The rare Addington daytime meeting is stacked with class but the best race of the day isn't the $200,000 riches for the juveniles, or the $140,000 Nevele R Fillies Final, but the clash between our three best 3-year-olds for just $40,000.

The Flying Stakes brings together Terror To Love, Gold Ace and Major Mark, the last-mentioned having had a season of "what ifs". He has been the architect of his own bad luck on some occasions but outshone by the other two big-gun 3-year-olds on others, but even from a wide draw he gets his best chance to claim a rare win over the other two today.

While Major Mark (R6, No8) will start from barrier seven, there is not a great deal of gate speed or favoured runners inside him and he could work his way to the lead.

Over the 1950m he would be hard to run down, with champion trainer Mark Purdon happy with his work.

"He is working the best he has for some time and I think he has a big chance this week," said Purdon.

Terror To Love (10) was brave and strong at Rangiora last Sunday, while Gold Ace (11) is back to his brilliant best and follows out a fast beginner so the race will be a classic.

Purdon appears to have the best of the draws with Alberto Contador (R9, No1) but is worried about the gate speed of Orl Black (4).

"I think he might cross us at the start and my horse is more of a stayer so might struggle to come off his back and beat him."

Orl Black has been hard to follow, though, and trainer Cran Dalgety's team is going through a minor slump so Alberto Contador looks the best each-way bet.

It is impossible to go past Carabella (R7, No6) as the anchor for the multi bets which are so popular on premier harness days. With arch rival Bettor Cover Lover gone, Carabella simply has too much class for her rivals, especially with Northern Oaks placegetter Miss Elsie (9) drawn so wide. Those looking to boost the phone account early should opt for Brookside Filly (R3, No3) who meets a weak NZ Trotting Oaks field.

She was poor at Alexandra Park last Tuesday but better three nights later in a strong field and has the manners to use her draw so her $8 fixed odds quote is huge overs.

Classy Cambridge filly Madisonz Luck (6) is the logical danger after a third in the Derby last Friday and she has the gate speed to try for the lead.

The barrier draw could make life tough for Flying Isa (R8, No9) in the other age group trot, although rarely do baby trotters get locked away on the markers.

He has looked the old pro of this crop, with Regal Petite (1) big on ability but still hampered by her manners. She gets her chance from the ace today as long as she trots the bends smoothly.

The free-for-all earlier in the day provides punters with an interesting test, with Power Of Tara (R4, No9) clearly the best-performed horse but not ideally suited by the sprint trip.

"He is healthy and doing well so he is here but I know the race isn't perfect for him," says trainer Brendon Hill.

Raglan (8) trailed Power Of Tara and was only adequate at Rangiora last Sunday so Four Starzzz Flash (4) gets his chance to try to go forward and beat his better-credentialled rivals.