All Stars primed for premier night

When the money’s up All Stars harness racing stable is always primed and tomorrow night at Addington four of their top liners will race for the big dollars.

The $160,000 Group One Garrards Sires’ Stakes Series Final has drawn a classy field of nine, with Mark and Nathan Purdon gearing up three starters – Vessem (Vincent), Chase A Dream (Captaintreacherous) and We Walk By Faith (Bettor’s Delight).

Vessem gets the best draw of the trio running from barrier three.

“It’s going to be a tactical race. I think he’ll come out without being silly. Nathan Williamson could light up his one (Dreams Are Free), Cold Chisel will have to use his draw and Chase (Chase A Dream) potentially could come out. It’s that first fifty to seventy metres that will see whether Vessem will carry on or settle handy without doing too much,” Nathan said.

Vessem has been freshened since finishing second last month at Cambridge behind Hadron Collider.

“He was going to race a couple of weeks ago but we decided to get his hocks treated instead. So there’s a standdown period for that. He’s had a run at Addington (private) so he’s pretty up to the mark and he’s had a lot of base fitness so I don’t think fitness will be the issue.”

Blair Orange takes the drive on Vessem.

The All Stars second runner Chase A Dream, showed how tough he is when sitting parked and winning at Addington a week ago.

“I won’t be scared to use him and if we have to sit parked we’ll sit parked because that’s where he’s at physically and mentally at the moment. He’s been up for a while but he’s in a really good place and that race didn’t hurt him at all.”

All three horses and most particularly Chase A Dream, are enjoying being at home at Rolleston after campaigning in Auckland.

“From the moment he got back he’s really picked up. I think he knows this is home. He’s gone to another level since he got home.”

Natalie Rasmussen handles Chase A Dream.

The third of the team, We Walk By Faith, draws the outside marble. His form has been solid in this company and Olivia Thornley picks up the drive.

“He’s going well but he’s a horse that’s going to need the right trip. This guy has been up for a while now and hasn’t had a decent spell. He’s probably come to the end of his prep and I think he’ll benefit a lot from having a break and coming back to race at the end of the year.”

The All Stars, under different training partnerships have won the last nine Sires Stakes Finals and senior partner Mark has won twelve all up. His first goes back to 1994 when Il Vicolo won.

Race Seven is the Listed $110,000 Hydroflow New Zealand Country Championship Final and the All Stars fronts up with five year old Franco Indie (Always B Miki).

At his last start at Rangiora he came home strongly.

“They went a record that day. Natalie (Rasmussen) said he got a wee bit awkward round the last bend. He was out wide and with the tempo they were running he got a little bit flat footed. When he straightened up he came home well. He’s probably suited to Addington and in particular the distance.”

Although he’s primarily won over sprint distances, Franco Indie proved he can stay when winning at Akaroa over 2810 metres.

“He’s better coming off a helmet if possible. Ideally you’d like to see him getting a cart into it late and he’ll see out the two miles pretty comfortably.”

Purdon said Mo’unga looks to be the one to beat by the way he won last week.

“Generally in these sorts of races it’s the horse that gets the right trip. There’s probably a handful of horses that can win but it comes down to who steps the best and who gets the most economical trip after that.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink