Co trainer and driver mark Purdon told Harnesslink today Monday 7 April that the horse who is now unbeaten in 10 starts, all this season, was a “completely unknown factor from a stand’’, not having raced from that mode of starting to this stage.

“The Cup is in the back of my mind but he would need to be 100 percent in every way, including his ability to start from a stand…He hasn’t raced from a stand as yet.’’

Purdon said the boom colt who is being freely touted for Horse of the Year honours, came through his record breaking run in the Derby in 'excellent' fashion, in fact he did not turn a hair.

Commenting on a likely NZ Cup campaign with Auckland Reactor, Purdon said: “He is certainly capable enough of being there if he was 100 percent with his standing start manners…I certainly haven’t discarded a Cup campaign at this stage…It's there in the back of my mind.’’

Purdon won the New Zealand Cup at four with Il Vicolo who was an entire like other 4 Year Old winners in Christian Cullen, Stanley Rio, Lordship, Inky Lord and Lookaway.

The Southern Supremacy Stakes Final and Harness Jewels will close Auckland Reactor’s 3 Year Old campaign.

He will not race again before the Supremacy Final in Invercargill on 26 April when stable mate Fight Fire With Fire will contest the Southland Oaks Final.

“They have a good supporting programme at Ascot Park, so I will probably take another two down south as well.’’

Purdon said Auckland Reactor was unlikely to race again before the Supremacy Stakes but he might have a clean up run before the Jewels in late May if he was in need of a final sharpener, Purdon said.

Auckland Reactor is not in the Breeders Crown in Victoria in August which is a lucky break for the best of his age on both sides of the Tasman.

Purdon said he was delighted with Fiery Falcon’s showing for third in the Derby after being parked for the last lap (1200 metres).

“It was a very good run and he is certainly a very nice horse.’’

Meanwhile the country's Premiership leading trainers Purdon and Grant Payne will target the Addington meeting on Friday night with three star juveniles in Sir Clive, Highview Tommy and Eric’s Legend engaged.

Purdon will drive the unbeaten Sir Clive and stable horseman Blair Orange will stay with Highview Tommy.

Ricky May, who seldom drives for the stable, has snapped up the drive on Eric's Legend.

Don Wright