Racing: Derby winner ready for peak effort

Russley Rascal could have too much class tonight for his rivals. Photo / Natalie Slade

Russley Rascal is special enough to overcome even champion trainer Mark Purdon's famed conservativeness at Alexandra Park tonight.

Purdon is usually loathe to declare any of his better horses in their comeback races, knowing only too well how hard it is to win fresh-up in better company.

And like most elite trainers he doesn't overly tax his best horses at the workouts, especially ones facing long campaigns, like Russley Rascal.

But even with that in mind he struggles to tip against Russley Rascal in tonight's $15,000 handicap pace, in which the exceptional talent will be having only his second start.

Russley Rascal has had only one public workout in readiness for tonight and was not bustled when second to race rival and stablemate Imagine Me at Pukekohe last week.

"Because of that, and the fact it is a standing start, he has a little bit against him," says Purdon.

"But really, he is a very good horse and his class should probably get him home.

"It is hard to think they will just win fresh-up in this grade but he is good enough to do it."

Russley Rascal actually blew his first standing start and finished second in maiden company, a painful memory for those who backed him as he went on to become the best 3-year-old of last season, scoring a crushing win in the Woodlands Northern Derby.

He has the rarest of acceleration levels and if he continues to strengthen without developing the manic tendencies some of the stock of Mach Three can, he could be an open-class superstar in a year.

Because rivals tonight like Red Zone and Percy The Punter are race fit punters would be foolish to take less than $2 for Russley Rascal but most will be keen to anchor him in the $50,000 Pick6.

Last Friday's anchor Sovereignty looks that again in race nine where he is well placed as he tries to cement his trip for next week's Dominion Handicap.