KEY POINTS:
Mark Purdon has trained enough champions to know he can't beat one in tonight's Flying Stakes at Addington.
But winning isn't the only reason his standout filly Top Tempo is in the race in the first place.
Purdon has been somewhat forced into the unusual move of starting Top Tempo against the boys, headed by harness racing's horse of the moment Changeover, in tonight's $50,000 sprint.
For the seven males in the field the race is the final lead-up to next Friday's New Zealand Derby but for Top Tempo it is an attempt to keep fit for her major aims next month.
Because she has won two heats of the Nevele R Fillies series Top Tempo cannot contest any more and that doesn't leave her a lot of options to keep her fit for the Great Northern Oaks at Alexandra Park next month.
And with many of the male pacers running scared of Changeover, Purdon thought the Flying Stakes was a suitable option.
"Our prime aim is to get her ready for taking on One Dream next month," said Purdon.
"So these are really bonuses races. If she performs well this week then we will have a crack at the Derby but if she doesn't then we haven't lost anything by having a go."
Top Tempo's clash with the big boys has been made bearable by the fact she has drawn barrier three, inside both Changeover (4) and Gotta Go Cullen (8).
"I don't think we can beat Changeover because he has gone to that next level," said Purdon.
"He is the best of the 3-year-olds we have at the moment and is a very, very good horse.
"But at least by drawing handy the race won't do her any harm and maybe we can get some of the money."
It is impossible to see Changeover beaten tonight as he has always looked more comfortable on the giant left-handed Addington track than when racing closer to home in the north.
With the Derby still a week away it is hard to imagine any of the drivers inside him trying to hold him out for the lead so he could stroll to the front and win without having to strain.
The most likely roadblock on that path would be if Gotta Go Cullen uses his blazing gate speed to rush forward early, as he did to upset Lombo Pocket Watch at Alexandra Park last month.
Then the dynamic of the race would change and Gotta Go Cullen may have an upset hope. But even if he leads he would need to perform right up to his peak to beat the favourite.
Montecito has beaten Changeover left-handed before, at Cambridge in January, and he looks the best upset hope, especially after drawing barrier two.
While Purdon isn't getting carried away with Top Tempo's win hopes he is far more confident with stablemates Fiery Falcon (race three) and Galleons Assassin (race seven).
Fiery Falcon has looked very sharp in two starts so far and has the advantage of a front line draw in the $50,000 PGG Wrightson Sales Series Pace. Purdon still rates him in the two best juvenile pacers of his awesome freshman crop, even placing him ahead of unbeaten Steve McQueen, who starred at the Auckland Cup carnival.
Galleons Assassin was a fighting winner on this track eight days ago and while he goes back 10m in the handicaps Purdon thinks that should matter little.
"He is a good horse on his way to open class and I think horses like him and Houdini Star will eventually take over in open class, along with the likes of One Over Kenny.
"So he should still be the one to beat tonight."
* Purdon's best 3-year-old male pacer Another Creation has been sold and will be flown to the United States this week.
His best career effort was second to Changeover in the Sales Series Pace at Alex Park on December 31.
Time to Fly
* New Zealand's best young pacers clash in tonight's Flying Stakes at Addington.
* The race is the final lead-up to next Friday's New Zealand Derby.
* Top Tempo will take on the male 3-year-olds for the first time.
* Her trainer Mark Purdon is more confident with stablemates Fiery Falcon and Galleons Assassin tonight.
