Gordon Good To Go For Hobart Sprint Clash

SPRINT Gordon will be sizing up four wins on the bounce when he steps out in tonight's bumper invitation race over the 461m at Hobart.

And if a slick 25.70 is good enough to get the job done, trainer Blake Pursell gives himself every chance of going home a winner.

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"He's going as good as ever but he's run into a very hot race tonight," Pursell offered.

"He hasn't raced at Hobart for a while and I've found with him that he tends to begin better after he's been to a track a few times in a row … that's my concern tonight, what he does early."

Victorious at 10 of his 20 career starts, Sprint Gordon, a son of Spring Gun and Champagne Girl, heads into tonight's assignment on the back of three slashing wins, the most recent at Launceston last Monday week in a flying 29.60.

Three runs back the hugely talented chaser took out the Launceston Cup consolation in 29.73, faster time than Caishen recorded to land the group 2 feature on the same night.

"He was very unlucky in his heat of the Launceston Cup finishing third," Pursell added.

"I had to tip him and his brother Twisted Reality out back in November when they got the kennel cough. It was a shame with all the big races coming up.

"They're the two fastest dogs I've got and were the only ones to get it. But the break has done them the world of good as it's turned out, Sprint Gordon has definitely returned a better dog."

Tonight, Sprint Gordon faces the arduous task of tackling Ted Medhurst's immensely talented chaser Raging Ralston, while the Hall of Fame trainer also rugs up key chances Fabulous Baroque (2) and Connected (8) to boot.

And facing such spirited opposition, Pursell admits to being more hopeful than confident of victory.

"It will just depend on how he begins … he's got a habit of missing the start and it's been like that right from when he was a pup," Pursell added.

"I was surprised when he started beginning but I put that down to his speed when he hits the ground more than anything. If he leads tonight and runs his 25.70 he'll give himself a chance."

Markets see Sprint Gordon a $3.80 chance from tonight's box six draw with Raging Ralston, which boasts ten wins at the Hobart circuit with a near record 25.46 PB, favourite at $2.65.

The son of My Bro Fabio returns to his favourite stomping ground after racing most recently at Launceston over their cup series in February.

And while Sprint Gordon lines up for Pursell as one of the major chances in race eight, the Brighton trainer has four runners engaged on the program.

"I give Goodnight Vicki a good chance in the last race," Pursell stated.

"She's trialling well and is very strong. She's heading in the right direction."