Purdon gambles with Cyclone U Bolt
August 06, 2012 12:02:55 UK
Top New Zealand trainer-reinsman Mark Purdon has made a bold decision to tackle seasoned performers with his classy three-year-old trotter Cyclone U Bolt at Victorian country track Geelong on Thursday night.
The gelding, a winner at four of his past five appearances, will start from 10 metres behind in the Trotters Handicap (2570m)-
The event will also be contested by in-form runners including Heather Castleton and Alabama Skeeta.
Cyclone U Bolt won twice on New Zealand tracks during June, and then was Cranbourne 2550-metre winner in Victoria,
He impressed when setting the pace and winning by 5.4 metres from Aldebaran Shades over 2190 metres at Maryborough on 30th July.
Four-year-old Heather Castleton, a winner four of her past six starts, is expected to give Cyclone U Bolt tough opposition.
Five-year-old Alabama Skeeta has won three of his last four races and will be hard to beat again.
A lot of attention will focus on Master Keisey in the Trotters Handicap. The 11-year-old was a last-start winner over 2575 metres at Cranbourne on 28th July.
Aldebaran Shades is likely to have solid support when he races at Thursday's Victorian day meeting, which will be held at Maryborough.
In an 18-start career, Aldebaran Shades has a tally 10 wins and seven places.
He received barrier 10 in the Breeders Crown 3YO Trotters Second Repecharge over 2190 metres on Thursday and faces a difficult assignmernt against She's Image, who drew gate four.
Shes An Image's career record is 12 wins and five places from 20 starts. The filly has won seven of her past nine races.
There is little doubt she will be heavily supported to bounce back from a close second over 2190 metres at Maryborough on 30th July.
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