KEY POINTS:
When Mark Purdon went to Addington yesterday he expected to train the winner of the $200,000 Sires' Stakes Final.
But it wasn't until 400m from home in the group one event that Purdon thought he would drive the winner as well.
That was when Purdon, driving Auckland Reactor, looked across and realised he had pacemaking stablemate - the hot favourite Ohoka Arizona - covered.
Purdon and training partner Grant Payne lined up six starters in the Sires' Final and were adamant Ohoka Arizona and Fiery Falcon were the stable's best chances of winning.
"But at the 400m I had him covered and I thought, God, I must be going good," said Purdon.
That was an understatement as Auckland Reactor strode clear at the top of the straight and won the 1950m event under a hold, with Fiery Falcon providing the stable quinella.
The performance meant Auckland Reactor remains unbeaten in five starts but Purdon says there was good reason for his pre-race pessimism.
"I knew from barrier eight he would have to work all the way, which he did, and you can't usually do that in a group one race and win.
"I thought going into the race he would need to take a step up, but he has taken two or three steps up."
The win stamped Auckland Reactor, who didn't start racing until two months ago, as one of the most exciting pacers in Australasia. But Purdon says he is not in any hurry with the three-year-old.
And that means he may not be seen outside the South until next season. "I know there is some huge money up for grabs at Alexandra Park but to be honest, I have my concerns about him right-handed just yet.
"He is a horse who has come a long way in a short time and I don't want to undo that now.
"So I will give him a spell and then aim him for the New Zealand Derby and the Harness Jewels."
Just how far Auckland Reactor can go is anybody's guess, as he looks certain to develop further with the spell and yesterday's stamina display suggests he's a perfect Derby horse.
"I suppose if a more proven horse like Ohoka Arizona had come out and sat parked and won like Reactor did then we would be saying he was a champion. "So maybe we have to start reassessing just how good this horse is."
Purdon, though, was still not sure Auckland Reactor is the best of his amazing three-year-old contingent, suggesting he is willing to forgive any horse - like Ohoka Arizona - who was beaten yesterday.
"It was a very tricky day, with the wind and the pace of the races, and a lot of horse raced below their best."
Purdon had a more graphic taste of that later when Classic Cullen stopped dramatically in the New Zealand Cup in a career-worst performance.
While Auckland Reactor may not grace Alexandra Park this season Purdon still had bad news for trainers of northern three-year-old pacers.
"We will definitely be coming up there with a good team for Christmas and the Auckland Cup carnival."
