The All Stars Stables' chances of going back-to-back-to-back in today's group 1 Sires' Stakes Final are not in their hands for once.
Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen prepare four runners for today's early season 3yr-old championship, but Purdon has been particularly impressed by one of their rivals.
Star Galleria has burnt up the North Island all-weather tracks with two stylish wins in 3yr-old company before coming south and beating Ultimate Machete by a length at the Addington trials last week.
Then there is the added bonus of the country's most successful driver, Tony Herlihy - Purdon's brother-in-law - taking the drive behind the Steven Reid and Simon McMullan-trained pacer.
With Star Galleria drawn inside all of the All Stars runners, Purdon expects the early burn for the lead to be searing from the 1950m start point.
``I'd be picking they would like to hold the top with that horse,'' Purdon said.
``He's one that has trialled impressively last week, so he's going to take a lot of beating.''
Star Galleria has drawn barrier 4, immediately inside More The Better (5), You Gotta Have Faith (6) and Ultimate Machete, who will start from barrier 7 after the emergency, Thefixer, comes out. King Solomon starts from barrier 4 on the second line.
Purdon, who will drive More The Better, has been taken with Ultimate Machete this season, and is not worried about the wide alley for the Bettor's Delight colt.
``Ultimate Machete has improved and he had 3yr-old written all over him last season,'' Purdon said.
``He ran More The Better close at the Jewels - there was just a neck between the two - and he's come up well this year.
``I wouldn't think there would be anything separating those two. He's quite a tough horse too.''
You Gotta Have Faith is probably a touch behind Ultimate Machete and More The Better, Purdon said.
``He's done a nice job and probably just those other couple shadow him a bit, but not by much.''
Lazarus (2015) and Have Faith In Me (2014) have moved on from Sires' Stakes victories into the big time for the All Stars team.
The group 3 free-for-all has attracted a small but quality field including the All Stars pair of Dream About Me and Piccadilly Princess, along with open-class performers Field Marshal and Locharburn. Dream About Me's first race as a 4yr-old at Ashburton was sensational, but Purdon knows this is another step up.
''I am thrilled with her but ... with Field Marshal and Locharburn drawn inside her, this will be her biggest test to date.''
