By MICHAEL GUERIN
It is the choice between talent and toughness. Ability and attitude.
Because the two most talented horses in tonight's $100,000 New Zealand Derby at Addington are also the two most disappointing.
And the two more reliable are also the two greatest overachievers.
The most talented 3-year-olds in the field and undoubtedly the country are Young Rufus and City Rogue. Yet between them they have won just one lowly $5000 race in their last eight starts.
For Young Rufus the problem is a lack of manners with coincides with his recent colty exploits.
"I think he is the best horse in the race but he keeps on letting me down. He is got very colty lately and maybe we need to geld him," said trainer-driver Mark Purdon.
He hangs, gallops and generally makes a fool of himself. But when he puts it al together he looks the real deal.
City Rogue's problem is his immaturity. Just when he looks certain to do the right thing by his army of supporters he either shuts off, starts hanging or simply dawdles.
He is a boy in a man's body and punters are paying the price, as they did when he looked a certain winner on the turn in last Friday's Flying Stakes before loafing up the straight.
If either of them used their brain as effectively as their body in tonight's 2600m classic they would be the one to beat.
They have drawn perfectly and look set to lead (Young Rufus) and trail (City Rogue), which would suggest one of them must win. But after having let punters down on a regular basis this year they are just as capable of sabotaging their chances at group one glory.
Which brings us to Rare Gem and Country Ways.
Purdon makes no secret of the fact he rates Young Rufus higher than stablemate Rare Gem but the latter has already won a Victoria Derby and has never gone a bad race.
While still inclined to hang at full speed he has the fight of a cornered lion and a genius in the sulky.
The hotter the battle tonight the better chance he will be, even though his wide front line draw means his reserves of stamina will be well taxed.
In the same boat of Country Ways. The Southland pacer isn't exactly an equine Brad Pitt and still lacks explosiveness but he simply outstayed similar opposition in the Flying Stakes.
"I would love him to have a few more runs under his belt before the Derby because he still has a bit to learn but he has got the ticker," said driver Colin De Flippi.
Like Rare Gem he would be well suited by a hot pace but with few likely mid-race challengers in the field he may not get that.
So which way do you go, the flashy but erratic Young Rufus and City Rogue or the genuine duo of Rare Gem and Country Ways?
In any normal race maybe the latter would give you a better run for your money but this isn't a normal race. It is a Derby and Derbys are more often than not won by the best horse.
So give Young Rufus one more chance with City Rogue the danger.
Racing: Rufus and Rogue worth one more chance in Derby
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