Purdon back in the south

Purdon Racing has plenty of winning chances across the Addington race card tomorrow night and it’s great to see the ‘blue army’ back in the south as we head into the exciting part of the harness racing season.

After many successful years based in Canterbury, Mark and Nathan Purdon relocated to the Auckland area earlier this year.

Treacherous Baby (Captaintreacherous) is one of the early favourites in Race Six. She has a great record over the 1980 metre distance and on the Addington circuit.

“We had to scratch her from her last start. She got an infection in her leg so she missed a little bit of work and perhaps she’ll benefit from the run. But in saying that with the way she races, she’ll have the last run at them and still should go well,” Mark said.

Veteran trotter Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) comes into the Ordeal Cup ideally placed in the handicaps sharing the ten metres with One Over You and Muscle Mountain.

“Happy with him. The open class trotters probably don’t have the depth that we’ve had at certain times. It looks like he and Muscle Mountain will be the two to beat.”

Mark and Nathan have two runners in the ‘Ian Dobson’ Johnny Globe Classic – Midnight Miki (Always B Miki) and Rubira (Always B Miki).

Midnight Miki gets the better draw at barrier four.

“He’s come up well and he’s in nice form. It was a good first up run for him when he took on the older horses and beat them. You’d have to respect him but he’s not the same class as Rubira.”

Rubira draws the outside of the front row with another favoured runner Bar Louie on his inside.

“He’s in a good place. He’s had some nice racing under his belt, whereas a lot of the others are coming back and having their first runs. I’m picking they won’t want hard runs whereas I think this horse is pretty much up to the mark.”

Over the next three months there are some big targets for Rubira and Mark is excited about three year old races coming up.

“I am. I’ve got a lot of respect for Marketplace and he’s the benchmark of the three year olds, but if he had bad luck this horse could capitalise on it.”

Purdon says he’s noticed the changes in Rubira.

“He’s improved mentally. He’s had the talent but he’s been a very fractious horse. The trip up to Auckland and over to Brisbane and then coming down here have really moulded him and he’s a really smart horse now.”

Purdon Racing’s night rounds out in the Group Three Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup, a race where the winner gets automatic entry into November’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.

The stable representative is Akuta (Bettor’s Delight).

“With the two runs he’s had he’s improved with each. His last race was like a tame trial. He’s vulnerable this week if it’s a turn run race but if he gets the right run he’ll be right there.”

Akuta draws the inside for the 2600 metre stand.

“He hasn’t had a lot of standing start experience. I’m just going to take it as it comes. The big picture is that we’re getting him ready for the Cup. If he ends up three back, so be it. He hasn’t had the ringcraft from a stand for me to say he’d bounce away and be leading or trailing.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink