Racing: Purdon to lead way in return on champ

Group one racing can bring out unrealistic optimism in even the most experienced horseman - unless they are Mark Purdon.

Because while the champion trainer returns to the sulky after a six-week suspension at Alexandra Park tonight, he is not letting emotion cloud his judgment.

Purdon will steer his superstar Auckland Reactor, the horse he drove in the Interdominion heat that led to his six-week suspension, in the $200,000 Dawson Harford Messenger and knows he should win.

"Really, you don't like to get too confident going into a $200,000 race but yes, he should win," said Purdon.

"He is at least as good as when he won the Mile last week and from barrier two I think we should lead.

"I know these are good horses but I think he has proven he is better than them.

"The 2700m suits because he is such a good stayer and I'd like to think he will win again. I'm just looking forward to driving him again."

Like everybody who saw last Friday's Mile, Purdon was impressed by the run for second by Georgetown and rates him hard to beat again, even though barrier eight will not aid his chances.

"And if All Tiger returned to his Addington form [where he chased home open class star Monkey King] he would be a good chance, too."

But Purdon is not letting the excitement and tension of group one racing go to his head in the night's other features.

He admits he may only play a minor role driving in races like the $100,000 Trotting Derby and the $170,000 Sires' Stakes Fillies Championships.

He drives Lifeoftheparty in the Derby and Millwood Meg in the juvenile fillies event.

"Lifeoftheparty is a good young trotter but it is hard to see him, or my other two, beating Ima Gold Digger. From the ace draw he might be just too good."

Millwood Meg has a tricky draw against the high-class juveniles Flying Pocketlands and Yankee Dream in only her fourth start.

"I have seen most of these fillies go and Yankee Dream is pretty good but I'd still favour Flying Pocketlands. And Lancome would be the best of my team in that race."