Racing: Pardon has strong team engaged

Watch out for big improvement from Highview Ebony in the $175,000 Sales Series Pace tonight.

The South Island filly meets only nine rivals for $175,000 in the 1700m event but two of them, Bettor Cover Lover and Bettor Move It, look stars in the making.

Better Cover Lover will start favourite after her huge last-start second in the Caduceus Club Classic last start, finishing over five lengths in front of Highview Ebony.

However, trainer Mark Purdon expects the latter to improve a lot on that northern debut.

Later in the night, Purdon will unleash Pascoes Northern Oaks winner Secret Potion against some high-class opponents in the final northern heat of the Nevele R series.

While she faces De Lovely and Suidelike Meisie, with the best of the draws Secret Potion is the one to beat.

Purdon has a top chance in the 3YO trot, where Emma Hamilton will take catching from a good draw.

Highview Tommy and Sleepy Tripp face tricky draws in the Taylor Mile. "I think Sleepy Tripp is our best chance but from that draw he will need to be in the right place in the three-wide line," said Purdon.

He cannot decide between Pocaro and I Can Doosit in the main trot but said they would need luck to beat Sundon's Gift.