Racing: Rascal back near his peak'

Mark Purdon. Photo / Dean Purcell

Expect something more like the real Russley Rascal to turn up in tonight's $45,000 JLT Futurity at Cambridge.

And that could be enough to see the top 4-year-old back in the winner's circle, even from a tricky starting position.

Russley Rascal could be the next big thing in New Zealand pacing, having the raw speed to challenge for a New Zealand Cup next season, but he has been costly in his last two outings.

He raced below his best twice at Alexandra Park, with trainer Mark Purdon suggesting the 4-year-old may have been jarred up.

"Since then we have been swimming him and, each time we have given him a hoppled run, he has seemed happier," said Purdon.

"I think he will be a better horse this week and close to his peak."

Russley Rascal will need to be as he will start from the inside of the 10m mark in the 4 and 5-year-old race, meaning he could get back in the field with some quick beginners outside him.

But he will be aided by the small field and he has the absolute class to overcome any small setbacks.

Still, punters will want at least $2.50 to be getting value for him as Cambridge is a notoriously hard track to win on if a horse ends up even one spot too far back in the running. After all, Russley Rascal's stablemate Auckland Reactor suffered his first ever defeat in this race two years ago.

The biggest danger tonight could be Percy the Punter, who has appeared to be racing just a length below his best this summer.

He will appreciate being away from the best open class pacers and also gets some handicap relief tonight so could press forward in the middle stages and if he can put three or four horses between himself and Russley Rascal he'll be hard to catch.

Highview Tommy is a logical threat as he tends to be good from a stand and, as the sole 20m back marker, might find some room to avoid traffic congestion early and he made ground well in the Mile on this track last Friday.

While the Futurity is the standout race of the night, race six brings together some promising 3-year-olds and with three of the favourites drawn the second line there could be value on the tote.

Bettor Dream landed some good bets when winning the Sales Series Consolation last start but faces barrier one on the second line following out a horse likely to get crossed at the start.

That means punters could be wise to lean toward Pocket The Dream, who has drawn wider on the second line.

He flew home for third in a $20,000 race at Alexandra Park last start and won't need to perform any better to win tonight.

And Pick6 punters look to have been handed an easy start to their $40,000 chase with Madisonz Luck in the first leg.

The speedster and Harness Jewels runner-up looks perfectly placed in a 1700m mobile trot, with only Dealornodeal looking an option for those taking a saver ticket.

Tonight's meeting also features a $20,000 bonus addition to the quaddie pool while the first four races have a $5000 bonus in the First4 pools.

FUTURITY NIGHT

* The $45,000 JLT Futurity is the feature race at Cambridge tonight.

* Last season's Woodlands Derby winner Russley Rascal deserves favouritism.

* Trainer Mark Purdon says the 4-year-old is nearing his best again.

* Tonight's meeting has a $20,000 bonus starting pool in the quaddie and bonus First4s on four races.