By MICHAEL GUERIN
The Holmes D G camp are not hitting the panic button just yet.
The New Zealand Cup favourite disappointed trainer-driver Barry Purdon with a lacklustre seventh in the Kaikoura Cup yesterday.
But Purdon has been in enough Kaikoura Cups to know they are not always the best New Zealand Cup trial.
Purdon has won the New Zealand Cup four times as a trainer with Sole Command, Luxury Liner, Christopher Vance and Chokin - and none won at Kaikoura beforehand.
"The didn't all start in the race but Chokin finished about the same as Holmes D G did today when he raced here," said Purdon.
"It is a race and a track that suits some horses and it didn't suit us today."
Holmes D G was not comfortable on the final bend when the leaders were in the middle of a last 400m in a sizzling 27.1 seconds.
"He probably should have made more ground on them but it is hard when they are running last quarters that fast on the fence.
"But he also felt like he needed that run more than I realised he would.
"I think we will see some improvement in him and the Cup is still two weeks away."
Purdon does admit though, that he thinks the TAB bookmakers have got the market wrong with Holmes D G favourite over Yulestar.
"I would have thought Yulestar deserves to be the favourite now."
Holmes D G will have his final Cup lead-up in a trial at Rangiora next Wednesday.
One of the beaten brigade who did go home smiling was Todd MacFarlane, trainer-driver of Mac De Stroyer.
He lost ground when not handling the tight final bend but fought on well after.
"Losing that ground on the home bend didn't help but he will improve a lot on that run because he was fresh," said MacFarlane.
"I have been a little soft on him this week because it is his first trip away from home. He could do with another race next week but I will take him to Addington and give him a searching workout."
Racing: No need to panic yet for NZ cup favourite
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