Mark Purdon has set a load of statistical records in his time but one that strongly appeals to him is a quest that begins this weekend. He has a host of runners at Addington an about 12 hours after lines up BUSTER SHAW in his resuming run at Ashburton. He is then headed for the Riccarton Cup carnival where Mark will be hoping to complete a rare double.
Buster Shaw’s maiden win came at Ellerslie giving Mark a rare enough Alexandra Park-Ellerslie double as a trainer and now the Riccarton-Addington double is also in the wings.
Winning at both venues is becoming more common these days for cross code trainers like Robbie Holmes and Trent Yeberg among other current locals while John Parsons did it long ago at the highest level. Old time legends among championship winning trainers, Freeman Holmes, James Bryce and “Dil” Edwards won features at Riccarton while the famous Roy Berry did it differently riding a New Zealand Cup winner at Riccarton before training or driving multiple winners of the big one at Addington.
Mark has co-owned (with his late great mate and mentor Neil Pilcher) a stakes winner at Riccarton with Peter and Dawn Williams doing the honours and has had one runner there as a trainer but a winner in Cup week would be a special achievement.
Buster Shaw, bred by Kerry Shaw of Christchurch who races him with Mark,struck winning form at Ellerslie at 1600 which verges on his best distances,. The 1400 on Saturday may be short of what is required. But Mark has hopes and both dises of the pedigree have produced winners at the trip.
“He had a trial at Riccarton which was too short for him but I thought he did well. He will improve with this run and would be best further but I think he can show up fresh”
The biggest challenge may be the Ashburton track which can place difficulties in the paths of horses who tend to get back early as Buster Shaw has done in several of his races. But with a reasonable gate and Jasmine Fawcett back in the saddle that could be overcome.
Adding a galloper to the strong harness team based at Dancingonmoonlight Farm hasn’t proved too much to handle.
“Kin Kwo comes over some days for easier work and rides him track gallops at Rangiora so it has worked out quite well” Mark said. ” Kin is very reliable and fits in well with us”
Buster Shaw was one of the four strong team Mark began his thoroughbred training career with the other three being yearling purchases.. Two have won, one showed dash in a two year old campaign but has been on the easy list until recently. Mark had intended a greater committment to his gallopers on his move north possibly with a larger tream but partnership responsibilities with the harness team and the travelling which has been involved has meant it has had to take a step back in the meantime. The extended southern campaign has been an opportunity to step it up.
It will also be a step back from the glamour night at Addington. But as exciting Mark who is really looking forward to the challenge.
PIC: Buster Shaw walks off Riccarton in the days when he was based there.Can he win a notable double double for his connections ?