As Cup final trials go it looked special and you got the impression Mark Purdon thought so too.
Akuta sprints away at the end of his Cup Trial Sunday
“Very pleased the way he did it. I couldn’t have hoped for better” was as as far Mark would go after AKUTA came off the back of the GP over 2400 and scooted home in 28 at the standard setting facilities at Dancingonmoonlight Farm featuring an immaculate 1000m track.
It was the style of the workout as much as the time that impressed and the time matches most previous Cup final trials that have already netted eight Cup victories.
Akuta Scoots.Closing 400 in 28 an impressive result in final trial
“He and Oscar went to the beach on Saturday just to jog and enjoy the sea and they did.Akuta still had a little blow after Kaikoura, I was happy with that run so he is about where we want him”
The form of Republican Party and latterly Merlin locally and the threat of high class Australian visitors has tended to lower the spotlight on Akuta’s remarkable comeback from a potentially career ending tendon injury but with already a second to Swayzee to his credit he is a formidable rival for any of them.
The three year old RUBINA was not chasing time yesterday but worked home smoothly in 1.02 while the fillies WAT NEXT and ALECTO not racing until Friday were asked for 2400 in 3.20 home in 1.02 and did the task well.
The hardest working at the stable, probably human or equine was CHASE A DREAM who has been enjoying galloping work lately. Just as well because he got plenty of it yesterday.
Oops Sorry boss. In the last lap of a strong gallop workout with interval sprints Chase a Dream slips into a pace
Working on his own with Mark with a spot of GP work thrown in as well he did interval gallops work quickening from the 800m each round.“He seems happiest doing that sort of work” Mark said of the enigmatic Chase A Dream whose best must be a huge chance in the Junior Free for All a race perhaps not as formidable as was once the case.
This is what he was doing most of the time