KEY POINTS:
The prospect of a sizzling mile has trainer Mark Purdon opting for Ohoka Arizona in the juvenile male pace section of the Harness Jewels tomorrow.
Purdon's stable dominates the $200,000 event, with Ohoka Arizona, Fiery Falcon and Steve McQueen having monopolised the major juvenile races this season.
The
trio clashed in the Sires' Stakes at Addington two weeks ago and Fiery Falcon outsprinted Ohoka Arizona up the passing lane after trailing him, with that pair facing similar draws tomorrow.
Yet Purdon still says Ohoka Arizona is the one to beat.
"I think he will improve on what he did in the Sires' Stakes," said Purdon. "He hadn't raced for three weeks heading into that race and had a small problem with greasy heel on his back two legs.
"It wasn't a big deal but those two things combined may have been enough to tip the balance Fiery Falcon's way.
"But Ohoka is over that now and he might still be a little stronger which could be important if they go really hard.
"I can see them pacing 1:56 and in that case strength would be really important."
Ohoka Arizona had looked the best freshman in the country until his Sires' defeat and with Purdon's excuses in mind he should start favourite tomorrow.
He faces the awkward prospect of starting from barrier eight though and will be three wide for at least part of the race. But if driver Blair Orange can get a sit at some stage he is the one to beat.
Fiery Falcon has surprised Purdon with his constant improvement this campaign and he admits the gap between the two pacers has closed.
"For such a big horse he has handled the racing really well and I don't think there is much between them anymore."
With his gate speed and the advantage of drawing inside Ohoka Arizona it wouldn't surprise to see Fiery Falcon win again.
Steve McQueen faces a tricky draw on the inside of the second line but that could work out well as he follows Idler, who has good gate speed. He looks a blowout chance.
Purdon also faces second line draws with Top Tempo and Galleons Assassin in their Jewels races tomorrow but says the latter is good enough to overcome that.
Galleons Assassin has been one of the best 4-year-old trotters in the country all season and was not suited by having to come three wide last start at Addington.
If he can be saved for one run while Smart Seeker and Houdini Star work at the head of the field he can defy his significant drift in the fixed odds market.
Purdon is understandably not so confident with Top Tempo, who will have to give champion filly One Dream a start from the second line.
"From there we are racing for second at best and that will take some getting."
And the trainer says only bad luck will stop Petite Sunrise figuring in the finish of her 2-year-old trotting event.
"She is a lovely filly who is working well. It won't be easy from barrier nine but I am sure she will be in the finish."
