By MICHAEL GUERIN
Maurice McKendry has handed out the hottest tip of the night - by not going to Cambridge.
Not that McKendry didn't think he had a good book of drives at the northern harness meeting. In fact, he would have been favoured to win the feature race with Classic Turbo.
Instead the champion reinsman will fly to Christchurch for just one drive at Addington.
Which kind of gives you the feeling McKendry thinks a bit of Falcon Rise.
The 4-year-old will use tonight's pacing feature as his lead-up to next Friday's $35,000 Superstars Chammpionship and McKendry says that was enough to lure him South.
"He is a pretty smart horse and while the Superstars will be a good field he has to be very tough to beat in that," said McKendry.
"So it is worth making the trip to Addington to drive him in his final lead-up."
McKendry partnered Falcon Rise to an outstanding second to Electric Kiwi at Alexandra Park two weeks ago after starting from the outside of the second line over 1700m.
"That was a top run and he seems to be even better the Addington way around so he has to be tough down there."
Falcon Rise steps up in class tonight but is already an Addington winner and tonight's small field will help negate his tendency to be slow from a stand.
McKendry won't be short of northern company at Addington with Mark Purdon also heading south to drive the first wave of his assault on this season's southern scene.
Purdon will line up six from his stable and flew to Christchurch to drive them in fast work at Addington on Monday.
"They all worked well, although I could have been a touch happier with Cool Hand Luke, who might have lightened up in condition on the trip south."
Purdon is adamant in-form mare Champagne Party is the best of his Addington representatives, even from a wide draw.
"She has a touch of class about her and the big track down there should suit her."
He will also line-up three trotters and rates Sheezadoosie the best hope of the trio.
"She is trotting well and is in the intermediate grade trot while Waihemo Hanger and Buster Hanover are in a tougher race."
Purdon should taste early success at Cambridge when Shardon's Karen, a stunning last-start winner, lines up in the third race in the hands of Tony Herlihy.
And it is Herlihy who could make the most of McKendry's decision to head to Addington as he has secured the drive on Classic Turbo.
Herlihy piloted Classic Tubro to his first four wins last season before having to give up the drive because of other commitments in the 4-year-old features. It proved a wise move as he went on to win the Messenger with Pic Me Pockets, beating Classic Turbo.
But they will make a potent combination tonight in a handy field for the Yarndley Farms Te Awamutu Cup.
Classic Turbo hasn't run for three months but he was second at last Saturday's workouts and is used to racing on a light preparation.
The small field should mean he does not get too far off the pace from his 20m handicap and he has a class advantage over his rivals.
Another with a class edge at Cambridge tonight should be Frugal Echo in race two.
The exciting trotter looked likely to trot past Tomba before galloping twice at Alexandra Park last week, being disqualified for those indiscretions.
He meets a smaller and weaker field here and should continue his march to open class.
Racing: Southern trip a hot tip
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