Purdons power up for Ashburton

The Ashburton harness racing meeting on Monday is a pivotal day for many horses, with most trainers using the meeting as a stepping stone for higher stakes races in the coming four weeks.

As expected, Mark and Nathan Purdon have strong chances across the card for the meeting and all eyes will be on their two runners in the $60,000 Group Two NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes, a key lead up race for the IRT New Zealand Cup.

This is the 70^th running of the Labour Day pacing feature and Mark in his own right or in a variety of training partnerships has won this race eleven times going back to Young Rufus in 2002.

Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) won it in 2023 and after being scratched at Methven recently and missing the Canterbury Classic he will line up on Monday.

“He’s a horse that needs racing, he’s still very fat and will need this run. In the ideal world if he came through Ashburton well, I won’t mind backing him up at Kaikoura,” Nathan said.

Chase A Dream (Captaintreacherous) is the other Purdon runner in the pacing feature.

He’s had two trials this prep, impressively winning his last.

“He’s coming into it pretty well but he will need the run. In saying that if he got an ounce of luck they’ll certainly know he’s there. His work is very good and he seems very sharp. Since he’s been gelded he’s come back a very smart horse.”

This will be only the second time Chase A Dream has started from a standing start.

“He stepped very well at the trials. He can be an awkward horse and you won’t want to be circling round for a long period of time. He’ll either begin like a bullet or make a mess of it.”

Across the rest of the day Purdon Racing has some strong chances.

Look To Da Stars (Andover Hall) lines up for the stable in Race Three.

“He’s a horse that we’re trying to build his confidence back up. He’s getting back to it and is trotting really good round home. Kerry Estreich has shod him up for us and he knows the horse really well. Without criticizing the farrier up north he just didn’t know him as well as Kerry does. He seems a happy horse and his shoeing is as good as it can be and I’m sure that will be big help for him. We’ve also had a couple of joints done on him.”

Purdon Racing has three starters in the last heat of the Dunstan Two Year Old Fillies Sires’ Stakes Series – River (Bettor’s Delight), Alecto (Bettor’s Delight) and Wat Next (Art Major).

River didn’t have too much luck at her last start.

“She’s been a luckless filly the whole of this prep. She led one time and just got beat by Alecto. She’s the sort of horse that could come out and run a big race in a good race and it wouldn’t surprise us.”

Alecto was brave at her last start but her draw on the outside of the second row won’t help her chances.

“She’s the headline act of our two year old fillies.”

Wat Next capitalised on a good run last start to win at Addington.

“She’s a filly I’ve had a lot of time for from day one. It didn’t surprise me that she won last week but I think we’ll see the best version of her come the middle of November. She’s so green and still has a lot to learn. She has come on with that win.”

Rubira (Always B Miki) faces a hot field in the Gallagher Insurance Ashburton Three Year Old Showcase. He has good gate speed and operates well over the sprint distance.

“He’s a very high speed horse and he’s very tough to go with it. He seems well. We did have trouble with his bloods over the past couple of weeks. His work has never gone off and he’s always trained like a good horse. I think we’re on top of things now and he’ll run his usual honest race.”

Treacherous Baby (Captaintreacherous) takes her place in the $60,000 Group Three Mid Canterbury Trotting Owners Ladies Sprint.

“She’s a funny mare. When she’s right she’s very good but if she’s not right on the day she’s probably eight to ten lengths below her best. She’s very thoroughbred like and has to be full of herself. When she’s in that frame of mind that’s when she generally runs her best races. If she can continue that form (as in her last start) she’s got to be a chance.”

Special Occasion (Captaintreacherous) represents Purdon Racing in the Woodland Two Year Old Colts and Geldings Sires’ Stakes Heat.

His health wasn’t spot on when he last raced.

“I’m confident he’s turned the corner and I think we could see the best version of him at Ashburton. If he races up to his best we’ll carry on with him and if he doesn’t he could probably go out to the paddock. We got him rescoped after that last race and everything seems to be perfect with him and the blood results are great. Without Jumal I think he’s as good as anything else going around, when he is right.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink