Smoke On The Water in deep purple patch of form

The Matt Purvis trained pacer Smoke On The Water (Art Major) is in the best form of his life and his win today in the Donegal House Marlborough Pacers Cup was his fourth in a row.

“They keep giving him massive handicaps and we haven’t struck a dry track yet. It’s always been wet and testing but he doesn’t lose any of his speed,” trainer Matt Purvis said.

In today’s feature Smoke On The Water started off the 40 metre back mark. It wasn’t until the last 450 that driver Robbie Close let him roll.

“We’d watched Nellie Doyle and Moses (both off 30 metres) the race before. They are both high quality horses and they got right over the top of them. We were pretty confident with his speed and it panned out perfectly.”

Smoke On The Water and Misty Blue came together down the outside of the track with Smoke On The Water winning by three quarters of a length from Misty Blue and Dance Til Dawn a length and three quarters back in third.

SMOKE ON THE WATER REPLAY

The six year old has become a real Cup special. He’s now won the Marlborough, Stratford, Hawera, Tuapeka and Reefton Cups.

This time last year Purvis had the gelding racing in Taranaki where he won the Hawara and Stratford Cups.

“He never used to be a good traveller but since he went on that tour to Hawera and Stratford, then on to Auckland, he’s really matured into a lovely Country Cups horse. It doesn’t matter what horses he goes away with, he just enjoys his trip.”

The main goal for Smoke On The Water is the Country Cup Final.

“He’ll probably have a couple of quiet days because he’s had a big month.”

Purvis says he’s in the rebuilding phase and has a Royal Aspiration colt out of Miss Moppet he’s quite impressed with.

“We think he’s got a fair bit of bottom to him.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink