Dual challenges for Jeremiah at Cambridge tonight

By Michael Guerin

Jeremiah faces two challenges at Cambridge tonight and if he doesn’t conquer the first one the second one might not matter.

The highly-talented pacer is the flagbearer of a strong stable representation for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan as they start to roll out more of their spring stars, with the biggest names just around the corner.

“The open class horses like Merlin, Better Knuckle Up, Meant To Be and Higher Power will be back at the trials on Tuesday week,” says Phelan.

“They are coming up well and Sooner The Bettor is also back in work so it is an exciting time.”

Jeremiah faces an 30m handicap over 2200m at Cambridge tonight (8.52pm) in the type of race the top trainers might usually avoid.

But Phelan, who will drive Jeremiah, says he heads south for two reasons.

“He needs racing to get him up to his peak and still needs standing start practice,” he explains.

That latter issue is the first of the dual challenges for Jeremiah tonight because he has galloped away in both his career standing starts, albeit recovering to win the second one with a dazzling 54.5 second last 800m at Alexandra Park last October.

“With races like the Summer Cup and Holmes D G coming up he need more standing start practice and that is the first thing he needs to get right on Friday,” says Phelan.

“Then the tempo of the race becomes really important because if they put the foot down off the front line it becomes harder but we are lucky he is a horse who can win either way, moving mid-race or sitting in.”

One issue for Jeremiah could be one of his main rivals American Me is such a fast beginner he could get past him early and get vital field position advantage, although from 40m behind his chances could also depend on the tactics of those on the front line.

The stable double up in three of tonight’s better races starting with Dino (R4, No.6) and Bamm Bamm in the juvenile boys pace (6.24pm).

“They are both nice horses at this stage of their careers but Dino was really good winning his maiden so he’d be top pick,” says Phelan.

They take debutantes Pebbles (R7, No.2) and As One Wishes to the juvenile fillies Sires’ Stakes heat where they face four rivals who are already race winners including Delightful Lady Classic winner Daisy Bay.

“We like both our fillies but it is hard up against filles who have already raced and won so this will give us a good guide as to where they stand.”

Daisy Bay looked the best of these fillies at the start of the year but there is enough to like about Lady Di and Seaside Legacy to suggest any of the trio could win.

Purdon and Phelan also have the two favourites in a deep Race 8 (8.16pm) and Phelan says it would be a lot easier to choose between War Party and Mama’s Wish after 300 or 400m.

“The start could be a big factor there as they both have gate speed and whoever gets the best run, preferably on the markers, would probably be the better chance.”

They also have No More Dreaming in a relatively weak maiden Race 6 and if he produces his best he should win at short odds.

Earlier in the night the Silk Road Trotting Final (4.51pm) sets up perfectly for last Friday’s heat winner Hill Billie Blues, who should be good enough to overcome a wide draw in a small field.