The adage "you can't pick them up and carry them" was reinforced for Mark Purdon at Century Downs , Calgary, on Sunday (our time).
His drives from the inside gates tended not to have the pace to hold a position and the ones who didn't couldn't sustain into the straight.
VIOLA his first drive drifted early, got on the train with a round to go but couldn't sprint with them at the top of the straight battling on well into fifth and it didn't improve much from there and got worse at the end.
As Natalie noted, the backstretch gossip was that Mark's drives were not win material. The North Americans dominated round one but it is likely the Australasians, Shane Graham, Dexter and Mark will be a bigger threat from now on. There is still a long way to go.
Leg Two (Starting today 11:54am NZ time)
Vic's Regal Lady (2) 5 year old Angus Hall mare which has won over $C90,000 lifetime. She is listed at 10/1 on the early market and 5th favourite. This is a little drop in class for her/
On Golden Pond (1) Has won over $C200,000 life time but not very impressive so far this year. Dexter's drive, Bugger Bruiser outside him is 3/1 fave. It has been running in stronger races. On Golden Pond at 10/1 is equal l4th favourite.
Miss Coco Luck (11) is probably Mark's best chance drawn on the inside of the second line. Listed at 9-2 second favourite. Camluck mare dropping class and has won over $C300,000. Follows out one of the warmer favourites and rates
Neils Golden Girl (9) 7 yo trotter by Majestic Sun. Listed at 12-1 and probably 6th favourite. Has trotted 1.53.4 though recent form is not the best
Leg Three Georgia Downs (Starting tomorrow 12:55pm NZ Time)
Megasportstar (4) 15-1 second outsider
Don't Tell Terry (8) 20-1 outsider
Chestnut Schofield (5) Trotter 7-1 5th favourite
Sportsillustraor (7) second favourite at 4-1
Oakley Uptown T (10) 15-1
Harnesslink Media
Courtesy of All Stars Stable
http://www.allstarsracingstables.com/