Pembrook Benny has been left to fly the flag for the stable of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan in the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park tonight.
Stablemate Big Dog has been scratched after a recurrence of filling in a leg.
"He [Big Dog] has a little bit of filling in a tendon. He has had it on and off. We will back off with him for four or five days," Purdon said.
The 7yr-old Big Dog has won 12 races from 32 starts. He was due to resume after a six-month break from racing.
Pembrook Benny has not raced for the same period.
"He [Pembrook Benny] seems bright and as good as he can be for his first start back," Purdon said.
Pembrook Benny won a work-out at Alexandra Park on September 15. He won by a head from St Barts, who is a rival tonight. The last 800m was run in a sharp 56.4.
Pembrook Benny has won 12 races, nine at Alexandra Park. He has previously won fresh up. He finished second fresh-up to Power Of Tara, beaten half a neck in the Spring Cup, a 2200m free-for-all, last year.
He subsequently finished fourth in the New Zealand Cup, fifth in the Hunter Cup and third in an Interdominion heat.
Pembrook Benny is booked to travel to Christchurch after his race tonight. He will be accompanied by Raydon.
Raydon, who has not raced since January, won three of his six starts after joining the Purdon-Phelan stable last season. He was then sidelined with a hock injury.
The Armbro Invasion gelding had won six races for Wood-ville trainer Matt Hickey. Raydon had two months' work with Hickey before returning to the Purdon-Phelan stable a month ago.
Raydon won a trial at Pukekohe on Tuesday by a nose from Ima Gold Digger (13 wins).
Auditor General has been sent to Auckland by Ohoka trainer Paul Kerr to begin a fresh campaign in the Spring Cup. Auditor General has won twice at trials at Addington this month. He was placed in two of his four starts at Alexandra Park at the end of his campaign last season.
His usual driver, Mitchell Kerr, is now working for the Gareth Dixon stable at Clevedon.
• Markets
Alexandra Park, Friday
Spring Cup: $1.80 Pembrook Benny; $3.20 Auditor General; $4.80 Trigirl Brigade; $8.50 Percy The Punter; $11 Protocol; $15 St Barts; $51 Chesterton.
Oamaru, Sunday
Hannon Memorial: $2.50 Bondy; $4 Raglan; $4.50 Georgetown; $8 Yokozuna; $12 Tennis Ball, Ohoka Dallas, Power Of Tara; $21 Fake Chance, Cullen's Creek; $51 Niraadi.
