By MICHAEL GUERIN
Two vastly different trial performances have set up the clash of the 3-year-old pacing season at Addington on Friday night.
Last Tuesday leading 3-year-old Stars And Stripes stunned clock watchers with a unofficial 3-year-old national record at the Ashburton trials, beating elite class pacers OK Royal and The Tough Nut over 2400m mobile.
He broke 2:58 for the distance, his time less than two seconds outside Starship's long-time all comers 2400m mobile record.
His come from last performance confirmed his favouritism for Friday night's $50,000 Flying Stakes.
But while there was nothing quite so dramatic from the north's best 3-year-old Mike's Pal at the Alexandra Park workouts on Saturday his trainer Barry Purdon says he is ready to take on Stars And Stripes.
Mike's Pal was not asked for his best to pace his final 800m in 57.3 seconds beating stablemate Ciccio Star in a 2200m mobile workout. It wasn't is the same class as Stars And Stripes' effort earlier in the week but Purdon says there is little between the pair.
"Stars And Stripes in a class young pacer. I looked after him for a few weeks earlier this year before his heat of the Victoria Derby and he impressed me," said Purdon.
"But Mike's Pal is very good too and it might only be luck in the running that decides who wins this Friday."
The Flying Stakes is a lead-up to Easter Saturday's New Zealand Derby, in which Stars And Stripes will be chasing his third classic of the season after winning the Great Northern and Victoria Derbys.
He has been clearly the best of a 3-year-old crop which has produced few genuine stars.
Mike's Pal was a late starter to his 3-year-old career but has been the find of the northern summer. He has only been beaten twice - once by top 4-year-old Classic Turbo and the other time when fresh up from the second line in a 1:56.9 mile.
Last start he beat subsequent Messenger Pace winner Pic Me Pockets.
"He missed one race I had set him for at the Rowe Cup carnival but he is going into this race about as ready as he can be."
While they have yet to meet Stars And Stripes and Mike's Pal will be seeing plenty of each other after their two Addington clashes. They will both head to Sydney for the New South Wales Derby on May 26.
Purdon loaded Mike's Pal and Juvenile Championship winner Matai Mackenzie on a float for Christchurch yesterday but open class stablemate Mountain Gold was not with them.
A blood test has revealed last season's Rowe Cup winner is suffering from a virus and he is spelling.
Racing: Trial wins set up clash of exciting youngsters
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