Last year  Mark Purdon was planning a northern move to be with his new partner,Barbara; a gradual withdrawal from harness training and a semi-retirement involving his  thoroughbred interests.

At the beginning of 2025 he finds he is busier than ever, so much so that Brooke has gone north to assist the handling of the standardbreds.And  all the while he is  keeping in close,almost daily, touch with Nathan to monitor the Rolleston team.

“I was sort of planning on having more spare time for other interests. As it happens I don’t have a lot of it”

Mark has confirmed the trip to Victoria for Don’t Stop Dreaming and Oscar Bonavena, Don’t Stop Dreaming possibly racing next week before leaving for Australia the following Wednesday.

“There is a race that might suit him though he will be off a handicap.Otherwise he will go straight into the Hunter Cup”

“Darci” was 2nd to Leap To Fame in the Cup last year. That  champion trialled well last week and races Saturday night at Albion Park before heading south, as  Grant Dixon looks  for proof the lingering infection that sidelined him in October has had no lasting effects. 

 Mark is especially pleased with how Don’t Stop Dreaming is progressing.

“Honestly I can’t get over how he is doing up here. He looks terrific,is putting on condition almost by the day and really thriving”

Mark’s enthusiasm is in marked  contrast to  his making no  predictions before the Auckland Cup, a race when Don’t Stop Dreaming was late working clear off the inside.

“I said at the time I wasn’t that impressed with his final workout before the Cup.A little disappointed really. But since then he has really thrived”

A happy Don’t Stop Dreaming and Brooke midweek at Matamata

Don’t Stop Dreaming will also run in the Cranbourne Cup a week after the Hunter and  then head to Sydney for the carnival there. 

“I’ve talked to the owners and feel that he is ready to take the Australians on again.We will just see how it unfolds and work from there”

Don’t Stop Dreaming was also runner up to another Australian star,Swayzee, in the New Zealand Cup in November.

Oscar Bonavena has had a few days off but will be back in earnest next week after his easy Cambridge win.He continues to please his co-owner/co-trainer with a problem free preparation sometimes despaired of as a younger horse. He is aimed initially at the Great Southern Star on February 1 the same night two heat feature over 1600 and may also head to Sydney.

Busy busy! When the trips to Morrinsville for the standardbred’s fast work are done Mark has two gallopers in the early stages of a new preparation at Matamata which have to fit in with the standardbreds regime.

“There’s not a lot of spare time. Brooke has been quite surprised what is involved”

Coming up also are the Standardbred sales which have contributed so mightily over the years to the stable success.

“Nathan is flying up next week and we will be surveying the northern yearlings for a few days.I am also monitoring the Rolleston team closely so I am up with the play on my visits south which are usually at least once a month. The more I know the quicker I can be a help to Nathan, who is doing a fine job at his end”

In the longer term Mark is still focussed on his interest in training thoroughbreds.

“The main reason for the move was to be with Barbara,but also to concentrate more on the gallopers. Once I  decided we would continue to train in partnership for this year  I have given priority to supporting and encouraging Nathan who is doing a fine job with the youngsters.Some of them trialled this week”

Having achieved nearly everything possible as a harness trainer, Mark is ready to make his mark in the  rival code. But the harness party may not be over just yet.

*Vessem failed to make a fast enough recovery from a hoof infection to race at Blenheim and has been turned out for 10 days for a full recovery.

         

 

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