KEY POINTS:
Classic Cullen is ready to bounce back from a torrid spring in the $25,000 Ashburton Cup today, believes trainer Mark Purdon.
Classic Cullen faces a 25m handicap in the feature which would normally be prohibitive over 2400m on a track that favours front-runners.
But the open grade star has a definite edge in class on most he meets this afternoon.
At his peak this season he has beaten the best - including Flashing Red, Changeover and Monkey King.
But he has also had one of the busiest open class seasons so far, missing few of the South Island features races, with a particularly rugged New Zealand Cup carnival.
Purdon said the six-year-old had weathered that well.
"He is working well and feels good so I don't think it has bothered him," Purdon said.
"He went to the trials at Motukarara last week and ran down Fake Chance so I am sure he is ready for this."
Purdon knows the tempo of the race holds the key to Classic Cullen's chances.
With plenty of natural frontrunners in the race they could easily pace around two minutes 58 seconds for the 2400m standing start race, which would usually mean a tough task for Classic Cullen. "But if they slow up even a little bit in the middle stages maybe he can get a tow in to the race," Purdon warned.
"It is one of those races where we could have no chance at the 800m the way the race pans out. But if things go his way a bit then he can win."
There are no shortage of dangers in the race, with horses like B Grudge, Kipp Ross, Jimbob Jac, Powerball, Fake Chance and Gimme A Break all sure to have their share of supporters.
Kipp Ross has been in stunning form but that has been on grass tracks, while most of the rest have been racing just below open class.
Powerball is an interesting runner, not having had much luck since joining Purdon's stable.
"He is working well and while Classic Cullen is our best chance I think Powerball could go a good race too."
Purdon rates Stay N Alive in the last race as his next best chance today, with Galleons Assassin rated an each way chance off a tough handicap in the main trot.
- NZPA
