Quality Kiwi primed for Aussie debut

NEW Zealand raider Better Knuckle Up has some impressive family history to live up to during his upcoming Australian campaign.

Poised to make his Trans Tasman debut at Club Menangle on Saturday night, Better Knuckle Up is engaged in the Hondo Grattan Stake for co-trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.

The $50,000 feature doubles as a qualifier for Better Knuckle Up's main target, the famed Chariots Of Fire, which is scheduled to be conducted at the world class venue on March 1.

By Bettors Delight, the quality four-year-old hails from the same family as Chariots Of Fire winners, Have Faith In Me and Christen Me.

The clan also include Adore Me and Our Dream About Me, which have enjoyed Group One success at Menangle as well as Our Maxim and Magnificent Storm, which have been triumphant at the highest level in Australia.

Then there is Purdon's Chariots Of Fire history, with the master horseman capturing the inaugural edition with Ginger Man in 1995 before emerging victorious with Franco Hat Trick in '98, Holmes D G in '99 and Our Sky Major in 2015.

As for Better Knuckle Up's prospects, he has drawn barrier eight, but slots into six with the removal of the emergencies.

"It's not an ideal draw over the mile, but he has gate speed," Purdon said. "Scott is over there with him and says he has settled in great and is very happy with everything.

"That's all we can do, now it will be up to Gavin (Fitzpatrick, driver) to figure the rest out on the night."

When asked how Better Knuckle Up compares to his past Chariots Of Fire winners, Purdon adopted a cautious approach,

"He's a nice type in his own right," Purdon said. "He's got a good turn of foot.

"Whether he can live up to the others remains to be seen, but he is heading in the right direction."