But after his form dropped away he returned to Purdon, who initially considered missing Cup week if Pembrook Benny had struggled to return to his best.
The enthusiasm in training was still there, though, and prompted Purdon to make a radical departure from his usual NZ Cup plans to put Pembrook Benny into Tuesday's race with just one start under his belt.
He was an enormous fourth there and magnificent yesterday, when he was never on the markers but still powered to a surprisingly easy victory after NSW pacer Suave Stuey Lombo led and faded.
"That is very, very satisfying," said Purdon. "He has always been a wonderful horse who tries his hardest, a real gentleman around the place and he has been unlucky in quite a few big races. I know it sounds corny, but I wanted him to win a group one for him because he deserved one. So I am thrilled for him."
And Purdon wasn't as stunned as punters by Pembrook Benny's Cup week renaissance in the hands of young driver Zac Butcher.
"I know his prep has been different but he trialled really well at Alexandra Park a few weeks ago and I knew with a race under his belt he would go well in the Cup.
"And while he had a tough draw today, I still have him a chance because horses who go good in the Cup often go well in the Free-For-All and for mine, his was the second-best run in the Cup."
While the New Zealand Free-For-All is often a springboard to races like the Miracle Mile and a shot at the Australian riches, for Pembrook Benny it will be his Grand Final rather than a stepping stone.
"He won't be going to Australia," said Purdon. "I feel like those days are over for him at his age so he can return to Auckland, where there are some nice races for him over Christmas. And then there is always the Auckland Cup, which he has been placed in a couple of times."
The win took Pembrook Benny to close to $800,000 in stakes, which would make him the best horse ever trained by most trainers.
When you are a true great like Purdon who has trained the likes of Chokin, Luxury Liner, Christopher Vance and Holmes DG, though, Pembrook Benny will have to settle for an honourable mention on the stable's list of greats.
Easy On The Eye was brave after sitting parked yesterday while Victorian visitor Caribbean Blaster was enormous in third.
But the performance of Christen Me will leave punters and trainer Cran Dalgety perplexed. After a faultless last year, he has galloped twice in his last three starts and was disappointing in the New Zealand Cup.
He may be better suited by the Miracle Mile at Menangle in two weeks but his aura of invincibility has gone.
