Purdon Racing lines up promising two year old Major Hot and possible NZ Cup prospect Anything Goes at Addington Friday and both are expected to produce bold efforts while the midweek trials at Ashburton featuring nine up and comers among the younger brigade were of interest to many.
“They all had positive aspects to their runs but of course its early days for the two year olds who haven’t been around.We’ll qualify some next week and assess them all from there. It is possible some will not be ready to race in the short term.”
Amore Infida, a half sister to boom Aussie filly -formerly trained by Nathan -in Amore Vita and was of special interest having just joined the stable being bought by the Gordon Banks/Mark Hanover team out of the Dunn stable with 1 start and 1 win to her credit. She was not pushed in her trial by Natalie running an easy second in 3.15.2
“She is going to be a useful sort but she is not as brilliant as Amore Vita was and so was priced accordingly. That was a nice hitout for her and she will go on to better things”
Amore Vita’s record would take some matching, having won three Group 1’s and placed in several others in Australia for over $500,000 in stakes,and posting 1.50.5 at Albion Park winning The Golden Girls just last month. Both were bred by Steve Dolan and the late Grant Adamson.
Maddison Marie is a daughter of Group 1 winner, Kayla Marie retained by Braeden and Caroline Whitelock and that’s easy to pick Nathan says.
“She’s a ringer for her mother, strong and sturdy but she will take a little longer. She could need four trials before she is ready to race but the potential is there”
For Always Arden an Always B Miki colt from Arden’s Darlin who ran 2nd to Lauraella in a Yearling Sales final for All Stars,went up to expectations for a first trial.Bronski got a pass mark though he is not as forward as some while youthful trotter Look To Da Stars though well beaten was not necessarily disappointing.
“He went off stride early but after that he trotted well.He is actually a solid one in his gait and that was pleasing”
Carrera Rapido,whose 2nd dam was a three quarter sister to Christian Cullen, was tried in G1 company as a two year old and went a sharp 3.10.6 in his heat suggesting he won’t be a maiden for long. He is raced by Peter and Judy Van Beek of Ashley Locaz fame and should debut for the season soon.
Vessem whose ownership team are stalwarts of the Rolleston stable over a long period and include breeder Hazel Van Opzeeland,continues to impress among the two year olds. He ran in the R50+ heat and won’t be long lining up raceday. As will With Style,raced by Freddie Tong and Warren Pengelly, which is likely to be seen out next week.
“There’s a nice race to suit the rating and he is forward” said Nathan as a 400 in 27.5 travelling easily proved.
Luvstruck another Kennard Syndicate youngster which races in a similar syndicate to Spankem-as does For Always Arden-is daughter of All Star G1 winner Linda Lovegrace and ran 4th to Millwood Nike in the Caduceus Stakes in Auckland.She seems not far from raceday resumption on this trial.
Anything Goes,while lacking the recent racing of arch rival Ardie’s Express on Friday is at where he was expected to be-a top chance and with improvement to come.Major Hot ran home in 27.7 at his trial last week and a repeat of that is an obvious threat in his assignment.
“They are where we want them to be” Nathan said