Purcell aims to finish on a high
Wild Oats TRAINER Aaron Purcell is hoping to end the year with a city success with one of his own horses at Sandown.
Purcell is the caretaker trainer for Ciaron Maher’s large team while that trainer serves a six-month suspension.
But it is one of his original team he is looking to when Guizot runs in today’s Ladbrokes Up For The Challenge Handicap (1600m).
The Irish-bred former German-owned and trained Guizot was a winner at Pakenham last month before recording successive second placings at Sandown and Caulfield.
“He’s been running well but he’s just been a bit stiff at his last couple in finding one a bit better on the day,” Purcell said.
“He’s trained on well and he should have a good chance again.”
Guizot raced in Germany and France, winning once, before he was recommended as a horse that could be suited to Australian conditions.
Purcell has had success with another German horse Swacadelic, a four-time winner and second in the past two Sandown Cups.
“The same guy that owned him also owned Swacadelic,” he said. “It’s hard to get a read on the German form but his French form was pretty good.
“He didn’t win that often but he ran well in quite good races and they were confident he would be suited to our racing.
“I can’t be disappointed with how he’s gone since he’s Oats, been here.”
Purcell will also be represented earlier by former Perthtrained Lite’n In My Veins in the Ladbrokes Info Hub Handicap and Purrhaps in the Ladbrokes Cash In Handicap.
Lite’n In My Veins had two starts for Purcell during the spring after arriving from Fred Kersley.
“He was disappointing during the Melbourne Cup carnival,” Purcell said. “He had a bit of a snotty nose after that and it took a little time to get him right again.
“He’s been working pretty well and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in the finish.”
Purrhaps broke through for her maiden win at Bendigo last month before finishing last at Sandown later in the month.
Purcell said Purrhaps did not scope well following that race. “She galloped really well at Caulfield on Wednesday,” Purcell said.
“She’ll need to be right at her best to be winning but she won’t be too far away.”