KEY POINTS:
Forget the glamour, go for the guts.
That could be Mark Purdon's advice to punters ahead of tonight's premier meeting at Alexandra Park where he has starters in all three key races.
Purdon lines up Mighty Cullen and Classic Cullen in the Manukau Cup, while stable star Imagine That contests the $100,000 Queen Of Hearts.
But Purdon believes former batt-ling trotter Mamalu is his best chance of a win tonight.
The 7-year-old gelding has made a big impression on Purdon since joining the stable this season and was an impressive fifth behind Allegro Agitato and the star trotters under mobile conditions last Friday.
"I think back to a stand and getting a start from the favourites he will be hard to beat," enthused Purdon.
"One Over Kenny and Our Sunny Whiz are very good mares, but it is a big field so a head start over them will help."
He is not quite so confident about his feature-race hopes for differing reasons.
"Mighty Cullen's race looks ideal for him on paper but I think he will be one race away from his peak," said Purdon.
"He has not raced for a month and and is up here for the Franklin Cup on December 31 so he is still on the way back up.
"He is a chance because he is a good horse with great manners but I couldn't label him."
Classic Cullen doesn't look well placed in the same race where he faces a 15m handicap on a track he hates.
"I can't work it out but he never seems as comfortable at Alexandra Park.
"He works well right-handed at home but it is different on race night.
"He is here on trial for an Auckland Cup start in March but there is definitely a question mark over him."
While Imagine That has always raced well at Alexandra Park, Purdon is starting to doubt her ambition heading into tonight's mares' classic.
"There is no doubt she is good enough to win it and it looks a good race for her.
"But she hasn't found the line like she usually does the last couple of starts. She could turn it around, though, because 2700m from the mobile suits her almost perfectly."
