Three venues for the Purdon Racing action this weekend brings some concerns,some optimism and some anziety things will go according to plan.
In Auckland,RUBINA makes a return to the racing scene after he was put aside late in his outstanding juvenile season on the call he would benefit from a break to fit him for the challenges ahead early in his three year old season.
Nathan is confident he can handle the first up challenge.
“He’s not really race fit of course but we are confident he should be able to handle this assignment (7.43pm;$1.75) ” Nathan says.”There are bigger things to come hopefully”
It should be an ideal hit out in a Rating 54 to 67 class and defeat would cause more than a little upset.
In Cranbourne OSCAR BONAVENA is even shorter at $1.45 in the Group 1 Cranbourne Cup (2555m; 10.19pm)) where he will be steered by Anthony Butt with Mark opting to stay home with his commitments. Driving for the Purdon barn is nothing new to Anthony who guided SMOLDA to one of the most brilliant wins of his career in a Ballarat Cup taking the Aussies on at their own game with searing opening splits -and handlebars down from then on. He ran some sensational splits. Not many pacers of our time,probably only two, could have matched what he did that night.
Oscar Bonavena hasn’t had many drivers over the years but has won for all of them and tomorrow will probably be no exception.
However KATE GATH is a much rarer wearer of the blue and silver grey stars and she has the task of steering DON’T STOP DREAMING in the $A110,000 Cranbourne Cup a Group 2 pacing highlight of the night at 10.54pm
“If it all went as the form says we are running for second money but the way he is if everything went perfectly for him and not for some others he may be able to put some pressure on Leap To Fame ($1.08). But its unlikely on last week even though our horse got home so well. He will be more in the race this week we expect.He ended up further back than we hoped in the Hunter Cup with the fierce early pace and it was too hard for any of the others from there ”
Nathan was doubtless referring to the NZ Cup in November when Don’t Stop Dreaming emerged from the trail to test winner Swayzee ,the Hunter Cup winner, to the utmost. And the fact he had an unintended quiet Hunter Cup means he is peaking for the night.
At Addington the $100,000 Group One Breeders Stakes (7.26pm) takes centre stage with MR KAPLAN ($14) and TREACHEROUS BABY ($3.80) the Rolleston runners. And if you are backing favourite Lakelsa on the grounds she will dictate the race,think again.
“If she can cross them early from the low gate Jonny (Cox) probably won’t be handing up with Mr Kaplan without a fight. She is more aggressive now than before.Since she came back from Auckland she is much keener on getting up on the bit and she would probably be better off in front where she maybe able to relax into the right run for her”
Mr Kaplan was a good second last year in just over 3.12 and while that is more than five seconds outside the race record they will probably not go much faster tomorrow.
Considering Nathan is a little reluctant to put one before the other she represents odds appeal at the price.
“It is just a bit hard to predict until you see how the race will be run. Treacherous Baby probably has an ideal gate on the second row becaise she can get the run where she can unleash a sprint running home which is her best style. I wouldn’t worry about her last run.She didn’t really get to show us what she could do.They both have a chance depending on how the race plays out”
Earlier (6pm) THE BETTOR DEAL ($2) is at cramped odds in a maiden lineup with two trials to his credit and ready for a bold bid. And later in the last MIDNIGHT MIKI rivals the short odds quotes with his $1.75 even though he has a tricky gate.
“He’s probably our best at Addington. Coming through the grades like this is a bonus when they have done some two year old racing in good fields”
Next week two year olds will be in the spotlight but there is plenty of Purdon action leading up to that.
REMINDER: There may be opportunities for shares in some of Mark and Nathan’s yearling purchases but you will miss out if they are not aware of your interest. Contact the office@purdonracing.co.nz today.
Pictured.Mr Kaplan- the dark horse of the Breeders Stakes after last year’s effort ?