But when the master horseman describes Alleluia as probably having more speed than any other 3yr-old he's driven, the ears prick up.
The 3yr-old gelding ran erratically in the home straight at Forbury Park last night but had the $18,000 Sires' Stakes heat well in control, as he zoomed past Regulus to win by 2 lengths in 2.05.5 for the 1700m.
Purdon bought Alleluia at the 2012 Australasian Classic yearling sales for $32,000 on behalf of owners Dennis and Mark Dunford, but he could not have realised at the time how much speed the son of Art Major possessed.
''There's lots of speed there,'' Purdon said.
''There's probably more speed than any 3yr-old I've driven, but he is wayward with it.''
Yes, you read that right. Let's not forget Purdon has driven Auckland Reactor, Jack Cade and Il Vicolo to win the Sires' Stakes Final in the past - never mind all the other 3yr-old features.
But Alleluia's swerving in the straight highlighted the gelding's down side.
''He's just a horse that you've got to . . .
be guiding him down all the time and kidding to him, than perhaps trying to use the whip.''
A 2yr-old campaign was planned last season, but it became evident to Purdon a spell would do Alleluia the world of good.
''Physically, he was quick enough, but mentally he wasn't coping with the work so we gave him time to mature.''
Now that Alleluia has qualified for the Sires' Stakes Final at Addington on November 12, Purdon can sit back and plot his next move.''
It depended what happened tonight for what plans we did make, so we'll just evaluate things from here.''
There is a glimmer of good news for rivals of Purdon and his partner Natalie Rasmussen - they are not hiding any better 3yr-olds at home.
''At the moment, he's No 1, I'd say,'' Purdon grinned.
