Racing: Raydon well placed to win feature trot free for all

He is a wonderful stayer who will thrive on a hot pace today. Raydon hasn't won for nearly a year, has never won at Addington, was beaten in an intermediate trot last start and galloped at the Cup trials last Wednesday.

Yet he still deserves to start favourite in the $80,000 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All at Addington today.

Such is the talent that lies inside the roomy frame of the former Woodville trotter that even with his list of negatives and a second-line draw he has been the best-backed horse in the group one event, which was moved last season from its traditional Show Day date.

While Raydon hasn't been to the winner's circle in a while it hasn't been all his fault.

He was luckless at group one level last summer, then suffered an injury which sidelined him for eight months.

Since returning to the track he has faced long handicaps in fast-run races without totally pleasing trainer-driver Barry Purdon.

He wasn't thrilled with how Raydon was trotting in his first two starts but he was much better when breaking 3:00 for his last 2400m at Ashburton last start.

And he has come on since.

"I am happy with him now and at his best he is a very good trotter," says the man who has trained dozens of superstars.

While he galloped from the standing start at the trials last Wednesday, Raydon made good ground and the mobile today will suit for two reasons.

Firstly, he should get away on terms with his rivals while this race is, traditionally, one of the hardest run in New Zealand trotting every year.

That plays into Raydon's big hooves, because, while he may lack an inch of high speed, he is a wonderful stayer who will thrive on a hot pace today.

He is also aided by the fact some of the big guns of trotting - I Can Doosit, Springbank Richard and Dr Hook - are missing from today's race, while there are doubts over the form of great mare One Over Kenny.

That makes Raydon the right horse in the right race on the right day.

Stylish Monarch, King Charlie, Ima Gold Digger and Idid It Myway are just some of the dangers.

Purdon is also in the unusual position of having the only North Island-trained pacer in the Cup in Pembrook Benny.

Like Raydon his form doesn't look stellar on paper after suffering an infection at the start of this season which lingered.

And while he finished second last in the Kaikoura Cup last Monday he was blocked for room until late.

"He has finally turned the corner but he is up against it on the back of his preparation," said Purdon of the pacer who finished fourth in last year's Cup.

"Stunin Cullen will be very hard to beat, while Smoken Up is a tough old horse and he will take plenty of catching."