Racing: Dancing Diamonds gets nod

Precious Rose (rails) will be hard to beat. Photo / Getty Images

Trainer Mark Purdon still isn't sure whether Veste or Dancing Diamonds is his best filly, but he has no doubts who he fancies in tonight's $120,000 Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park.

Purdon trains both star fillies and, until recently, thought Veste might be the best of his freshman filly crop.

But she spoiled her chances in the Delightful Lady Classic with a gallop, while Dancing Diamonds has yet to put a hoof wrong in four unbeaten starts.

And Purdon says that puts him firmly in the camp of Dancing Diamonds as his leading chance in tonight's group one.

"I really like them both, but I think Veste might be going through one of those phases that young fillies can go through sometimes," said the Canterbury trainer.

"She is usually a beautiful pacer but she hung last week and galloped, which is very unlike her.

"It could be mental, or she could be growing, but it has dented my confidence with her a bit.

"She is still very good but I have to go with Dancing Diamonds as our best chance this week."

Dancing Diamonds has been faultless in her four starts and has shown good gate speed, which should see her secure the right run near the pace or even in front tonight.

"She hasn't done much work right-handed but I am sure she will be fine because she is a very sensible filly."

The filly the Purdon pair have to beat is Precious Rose, who upset in the Delightful Lady Classic last Friday after securing the perfect trail, which she looks set to enjoy again.

And trifecta punters have to include Windinherhair after the way she hit the line last Friday, with her breeding suggesting she will relish the step up to 2200m tonight.

Earlier on the night, Purdon's Interdominion trotting contender Pocaro won't get a better chance to return to winning form in race six.

The former Harness Jewels winner was a solid sixth in the star-studded trotting free-for-all last Friday and comes in beautifully tonight.

Not only is she off a 30m handicap but there are no rivals on the 20m or 40m marks, meaning she has 40m of her own to move in at the start.

That gives her the perfect chance to get handy and put horses between herself and the 50m backmarkers, from where her natural speed should see her home.

"She will be hard to beat because she hit the line all right last week and I was pretty happy with her."

Meanwhile, Purdon says he is pressing ahead to the Interdominions with Auckland Reactor and Highview Tommy even though they failed so dramatically in the Auckland Cup last week.

"I think the Reactor can get better as he gets fitter and hopefully that will happen during the series," said Purdon.

READY TO DANCE

* Dancing Diamonds will start warm favourite in tonight's $120,000 Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park.
* She is unbeaten in four starts.
* Last Friday's upset winner Precious Rose looks the biggest danger.
* Pocaro gets her chance to return to the winner's circle in the main trot tonight.