STAR New Zealand pacer Smolda headlines a strong assembly in Saturday night’s South Australia Cup at Globe Derby.
Successfull in last month’s Perth Inter Dominion , Smolda will make his Adelaide debut in the Group One, but has been afforded no favours.
In fact, the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained gelding will begin from the outside of the second row.
Despite the early obstacle, Smolda has been posted as a dominant $1.80 favourite, with former stablemate, Messini, considered the biggest danger at $9.
Prepared by Brent Lilley, Messini will also begin from the back line.
As for Smolda, Purdon stated the Australian Pacing Gold graduate has been kept fresh since his arduous Inter Dominion campaign and is in prime condition for the Cup.
“He enjoyed a break after the Inter Dominion Final, which has really brightened him up,” Purdon said.
“He will go into the Cup feeling as good as possible and will be very hard to beat.”
Purdon is no stranger to glory in the Cup, having annexed the time honoured feature with Young Rufus in 2005.
“Adelaide is a wonderful place and I am looking forward to being back over there,” Purdon said.
“I have been there a number of times, including winning the Trotters’ Inter Dominion with Pride Of Petite at Globe Derby in 1997, and of course, Natalie, won the Pacers’ Inter Dominion there with Blacks A Fake in 2007.
“Hopefully Smolda can add his name to the winners’ list on the weekend.”
