Powerful stable dominates both Group features

Both Ashburton Group races have been taken out impressively today by the powerful Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen harness racing stable.

First Group winner today for the stable was the Captaintreacherous filly Millwood Nike, who remained unbeaten when easily winning the (Gr3) $26,325 Helen Pope 2YO Fillies Stakes in the hands of driver Olivia Thornley.

Millwood Nike had a tough trip sitting parked in the five horse field, but it mattered little as she had the field covered on the turn and jogged home an easy four and a half length winner in 1-57.0, with a final 800m in 56.1 seconds.

Stablemate of the winner Tiffs Little Sister ran second and Cardwell Bay battled on for third.

MILLWOOD NIKE REPLAY

Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen also trained the winner of the time honoured (Gr2) $46,625 Sheep Milk NZ Sapling Stakes after Vinke B (Vincent) got a deserved win in the feature race, following a string of minor placings in his previous three starts.

Vinke B was driven to an all the way win by leading driver Blair Orange and took his stake earnings to $39,260 from just the four starts. Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen trained the first four home in the race with Wish Me Luck running second, With Style running third and Dare Devil making up the first four.

The race was run in a sedate 1-59.1 mile rate with a final 800m in 57.4 seconds.

VINKE B REPLAY

The NZ Sapling Stakes has been going ever since 1919 when Doraldina won the one and a half mile (2414m) event in 3:35.2. The second running of the race in 1920 attracted 100 nominations.

Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen’s stable is now sitting second on the trainers premiership on 50 wins, 1 win behind Steve and Amanda Telfer on 51 wins for the season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media