Is there any stopping the all mighty Purdon-Rasmussen stable at the New Zealand Cup?
At first glance the answer is 'no'.
And even after several more glances the answer is still 'no'.
For racing novices the Mark Purdon-Natalie Rasmussen partnership is the biggest thing in New Zealand harness racing. They run a huge operation at Rolleston just out of Christchurch, and backed by some of the country's heavyweight owners, they can cherry pick the best horse flesh around. And they do.
The result is that on big racedays, such as the New Zealand Cup meeting, they invariably clean up. In 2014 they won no fewer than seven races on the day, including the New Zealand Cup on 'Adore Me'.
It was Mark Purdon's third New Zealand Cup victory. Partner Natalie Rasmussen, who is forever linked with Aussie superstar 'Blacks a Fake', has never won one - well, not yet anyway.
In the Cup Purdon will drive 'Lazarus', a $1.75 favourite, who has only been beaten three times in 20 starts. And the horse just seems to be getting better every time it fronts up.
Last year Purdon drove 'Smolda' to second place behind 'Arden Rooney' and on Tuesday Tim Williams will drive the horse while Rasmussen sits behind Auckland Cup winner 'Have Faith in Me'.
The horse has oodles of ability but can be a bit iffy from a standing start. But if he starts ok he will certainly be a handful to keep out.
The other stable runner is 'Titan Banner', a former southerner who will be driven by Blair Orange. His quote is 26 to one.
So if the Purdon-Rasmussen combo doesn't win it - who does?
Two years ago 'Franco Nelson' was a very brave and close second to 'Adore Me' and its lead-up races have been very encouraging. The horse is a noted quick starter that likes to settle in or around the pace. But this time it has a second line draw, severely hampering its chances.
And then there's 'Christen Me'. Driver Dexter Dunn, the country's top reinsman, has never won a New Zealand Cup and at one stage 'Christen Me' was the next big thing. But the horse has never really delivered on its promise in the biggest races - and a win in the Cup would be totally unexpected. He's currently a $14 long-shot.
All the other horses are at even more lucrative money.
Because the race is run over two miles outsiders can and do place at big odds and there have been some upset winners over the years, none more notable than 'Borana' in 1985. He outsprinted them all to win at $76.
The chance of a repeat on Tuesday looks remote - but then again Prince of Penzeance won the Melbourne Cup last year at over $100 to one - and the words "racing" and "certainty" should never be put in the same sentence.
The Cup will run at 5.17 on Tuesday afternoon - it's hard to believe the All Stars juggernaut won't be saluting the judge - but which one?
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