Good things should be happening for Purdon Racing at Alexandra Park- and potentially good things again at Cambridge next week.
That is when Pepinyastep is likely to make her debut after a sharp trial midweek.
“She went well enough to show she is ready for raceday. She was the only filly in the heat and they closed off with some nice sectionals. The experience she gains next week might let us consider a race like the Caduceus for her later on” Nathan said
Pepinyastep has more going for her than most. By Captaintreacherous, she is from the high class race filly Partyon, a stellar performer for the former All Stars stable and Breckon Farms on both sides of the Tasman. Though a Harness Jewels 2yo winner being a contemporary of her all conquering stablemate, Spanish Armada, did not make things easy in her three year old season -though she outstayed her rival in the North Island Oaks backed into $1.50 with one of Mark’s classic front running drives. In Australia however she more than made her mark also,winning a Breeder’s Crown Filly at 2 and the NSW Oaks at three plus a Queen of Hearts back home-17 races in all.
So far Partyon,like Spanish Armada, has not made such a mark from the breeding paddock but while her keen rival is something of a disaster,things are looking up for the Breckon Farms mare. Her first foal, Party Girl, qualified but did not race while the next three foals were colts,one, Party Central, a brother to Pepinyastep, having a 1.51.7 time at Menangle where he won again last week- his 2nd in six starts this term.He was sold as a two year old after having won at Addington with Blair Orange in the bike
Pepinyastep is one of a number of promising juveniles Nathan, who drove Partyon in her later Kiwi career, is putting through their paces.
Immediately though attention turns to Alexandra Park with three likely candidates.
Just Us Two (5.41) $7.50 Mark
“I was a bit surprised at the odds” Nathan says “he is fairly forward and has gone well fresh before. He is not a horse who needs a lot of public trials to come to it and I expect a good run from him.The favourite (War Party) is wide on the front and if anything goes wrong there our guy can be hard to beat.”
Look To Da Stars (7.23) $4.20 favourite Mark
“I am very happy with him. He just needs a good first 200 to settle and no matter where he lands if that happens he should be hard to beat. I think I made the right decision when he was spelling. I wasn’t that happy when I saw him after six weeks and made it another three weeks out.He has been a different horse since coming back. He can lighten up and his joints have given him some trouble but he is much more mature racehorse and he is not giving in when he gets into trouble like he used to. Its a bigger field than some here have faced so it may rest with which one of the favoured runners ( Hill Billy and Two Francs) gets the best trip.But ours can do the work and still come out on top”
Incentivise (7.48) $3.60 favourite Mark
“We have got a little bit of an advantage over the horse I think is the one to beat (Turn O the Tide) but it is a useful field and possibly he is short enough. However he is racing well and in this grade can more than hold his own if things go our way. So yes,hopefully be three on the night but you never know how much luck will go your way”
PIC: Partyon