KEY POINTS:
Mark Purdon might be one of the few trainers in racing history who wanted to draw the second line in a Derby.
But the training great thinks that might have been better than what he faces with favourite Fiery Falcon in tonight's $200,000 Woodlands Derby at Alexandra Park.
On paper Fiery Falcon's draw at six on the front line doesn't look that bad. But Purdon has been in enough Derbys to know it could be the undoing of the favourite.
Derbys, particular harness racing ones with their 300m score-up before the race even begins, can be the toughest challenge of a horse's career, with the youngsters being asked to race under stress for long than ever before.
And unlike in open class racing, where a pecking order has long been established, 3-year-olds are still like beautiful new sports cars yet to have reveal a weakness - and are often driven accordingly.
Which means Fiery Falcon, and more particularly Purdon, has his work cut out tonight.
Ideally, Purdon would like to work to the lead early and the control the race, choosing whether to hand up or stay in front.
But while those drawn inside him are at far bigger odds tonight all have gate speed and are capable of making Fiery Falcon work, which could prove critical.
"If we keep going forward and have to fight our way to the front then a horse like Georgetown could move into the race easily when we slow down," said Purdon.
"So if I get too aggressive I could make the race for him.
"To be honest, the more I look at it I'd rather be drawn where he (Georgetown) is on the second line."
The pair both impressed in last Friday's preludes, Fiery Falcon winning while Georgetown ground his way into third when driven "cold" in the other prelude won by Cullens Legacy.
While the Derby has great depth the pair look the best two in the race. Fiery Falcon is faster than Georgetown, but the the latter is tougher on what they have showed so far.
This 3-year-old crop have been setting records all season and could run close to 3:20 for 2700m mobile tonight. If this happens, Georgetown is the better bet.
Justa Tiger looks a big improver on last week's run and won't mind a hard 2700m, while Cullens Legacy and Sound Of Thunder look the next best hopes. The blowout chances Matai Man and Anescape could also upset in a race where any of the 14 runners is capable of grabbing a a a group one placing.
Fiery Falcon is just one of three serious winning chances in tonight's feature races for Purdon and he opts for Classic Cullen in the $50,000 free-for-all as his best hope.
"He is fit and I think he is better than he has ever been," said Purdon of last season's Auckland Cup runner-up. "I'll be going forward on him too and I think he can win, although it is a very good field."
Purdon will produce $200,000 Ready To Run purchase Highview Tommy in the juvenile dash and rates him highly. "He has been good at the trials and has the speed to be handy early from the ace but it is still a big test fresh-up."
DERBY NIGHT
* Mark Purdon trains and drives favourite Fiery Falcon in the $200,000 Woodlands Derby.
* They face a potentially tricky front-line draw.
* Georgetown looks their biggest danger.
* Purdon rates Classic Cullen in the free-for-all his best chance tonight.
MY PICKS
1. Georgetown
2. Fiery Falcon
3. Justa Tiger
