Herlihy has the biggest tally for a reinsman or jockey in New Zealand with 2999 wins.
"I'd be chuffed if he could drive it [win number 3000] behind "Benny", Purdon said.'
"Tony has driven so many great horses for us and plenty of not-so-great horses that he still got home.
"It would be special for us if it came in our colours.
"The colours were originally used by Roy Purdon, the leading trainer before he took his son into partnership.
Herlihy has worn the colours of silver grey with blue spots when driving major winners Chokin, Christopher Vance, Luxury Liner and Comedy Lad.
Pembrook Benny has won his last three starts - two with front-running performances at Alexandra Park and a 1ast-start 1.53.6 mile at Cambridge.
He looked in perfect physical condition when winning a workout at Alexandra Park nine days ago in 2.46 for 2200m (mobile), the last 800m in 56.2.
"I couldn't be happier with him and I'd like to win this to go into Auckland Cup week with his confidence up."
Purdon rates Beach Buggy a top chance in race 4.
The 4-year-old has been placed in stronger fields in his past three starts.
• Midas Bromac qualified 8.9sec inside the required time when he ran 2400m (mobile) in 3.02.1 at Winton on Wednesday.
He is a 4yr-old Badlands Hanover-Monat gelding trained by Gavin Johnstone.
Shezaball, a filly by Presidential Ball-Averil's Atom, won over a mile in 1.59.4.
• Results.-
Two-year-olds, mobile, one mile (first heat): Ardghal B Barclay 1; Canardly Lover 2; Spectacular 3. Six started. 2L, nk. Time, 2.00.1. Trainer, A Hunter.
Second heat: Shezaball B Barclay 1; Falcalla 2; Dynamite Denn Nee 3. Four started. L, 1L. Time, 1.59.4. Trainer, W Adams.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2400m: Midas Bromac A Milne 1; Bo Kaye 2; Cherokee Charlie 3. Seven started. 1L, 7L. Time, 3.02.1 (five qualified, not third horse). Trainer, G Johnstone.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2400m (first heat): Compton Street A Armour 1; Rakaudi 2; Lively Prince 3. Five started. Nse, 2L. Time, 3.08.4 (four qualified, not second horse). Trainer, M Brown.
Second heat: Grand Supreme L Stuck 1; Charlotte Jay 2; Ronnoco 3. Five started. 1L, hd. Time, 3.06.8 (four qualified). Trainer, L Stuck.
Qualifying test, trotters, 2400m: Jaccka Creek J W Cox 1; Perfect Duchess 2; Conrock 3. Three started. 1L, 19L. Time, 3.16.9 (first two qualified). Trainer, M Gray.
0w pacers, 2400m: Cloud Song A Sanderson 1; Ekls 2; Tact James Kerse 3. Three started. 3L, dist. Time, 3.09.4. Trainers, R and J McEwan.
0w trotters, 2400m: Springbank Richard 60 P Williamson 1; Latheronwheel 2; Lewis H 3. Five started. 2 L, 2L. Time, 3.11.6. Trainer, P Williamson.
0w pacers, mobile, 2400m (first heat): Arancia C Graham 1; Bub's Hanover 2; Elect Jaccka 3. Five started. 2L, 3L. Time, 3.05.1. Trainer, O Lawrence.
Second heat: Flash Of Fire N Williamson and Essene K Larsen equal 1; Notabadexcuse 3. Five started. Dd ht, hd. Time, 3.08.8. Trainers, B Nicol (Flash Of Fire) and K Larsen.
1w+ pacers, mobile, 2400m: Watrulookingat M Williamson 1; Addies Girl 2; Meursault 3. Four started. Hd, 1L. Time, 3.03.7. Trainer, B Nicol.
