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Rolleston trainer Mark Purdon is under no illusions he has some big calls to make on favoured runners on harness racing’s biggest day at Addington on Tuesday.
Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) in the IRT New Zealand Cup, Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) in the Nevelle R Fillies Final and Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) in the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Final all have testing draws.
We can rest assured that Purdon as one of New Zealand Cup Day’s most successful drivers will be doing his homework and formulating a strategy.
Cup favourite Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) will be tested on Tuesday. The four year old gets a second row draw at fifteen and is likely to have to circle the field at some point.
Unbeaten filly Millwood Nike draws the outside of the second row in the Nevele R ’50 Years of Success’ Final and also faces a big test.
Purdon says nothing should be read into Millwood Nike and Don’t Stop Dreamings’ quiet trial at Addington on Wednesday.
One of Millwood Nike’s biggest rivals is the Zachery Butcher trained Mantra Blue (Sweet Lou) and he’s impressed Purdon.
Don’t Stop Dreaming was a brilliant winner of the Flying Stakes last month and draws the outside of the front row of the TAB Junior Free For All.
In the $160,000 Group One Woodland Stud Sires Stakes Final is the Mark and Nathan Purdon trained Vessem (Vincent).
The All Stars main hope Chase A Dream (Captaintreacherous) is not favoured by the draw and will start on the outside of the second row.
Mark says despite the draw Chase A Dream has the arsenal to overcome the challenge.
Mark and Nathan have two other runners in the two year old pacing feature including We Walk By Faith (Bettor’s Delight).
Consistent pacer Major Hot (Art Major) rounds out the All Star runners in the Sires Stakes Final and will run from barrier two.
Purdon labelled Don’t Stop Dreaming as the barn’s best bet on Cup Day. He confirmed that stable driver Natalie Rasmussen won’t be driving during Cup Week but is targeting Grand Prix Day at Addington on Sunday 10th December for her return.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
