By Michael Guerin
The fightback begins today for former pacing hero turned mystery mess Have Faith In Me.
But trainer Mark Purdon admits he doesn’t totally understand what he is fighting.
The now six-year-old pacer was rated one of the best in the world this time last season and opened as last year’s New Zealand Cup favourite, fair enough too as he was the Auckland Cup winner and the fastest ever Miracle Mile winner.
But while stablemate Lazarus produced the near perfect season, Have Faith In Me only showed rare glimpses of anything approaching his best and became the punter’s enemy.
The wayward tendencies he was supposed to grow out of got worse and it took extensive testing before a kidney complaint was the best the vets could pinpoint as the source of his problems.
Whatever it was, or still is, it has seen Have Faith In Me careen down the pecking order of our best horses as he returns to the public domain at the Rangiora trials today.
Purdon, just back from a luckless but enjoyable World Drivers Champs in Canada, is quietly hopeful whatever ailed Have Faith In Me won’t be as big an issue this season.
“He seems good so far, but then again he did at this stage last season too,” says the training phenomenon.
“He has had a decent spell, seems sound and happy and it is a case of treating him like there is nothing wrong with him any more until we find a reason to change our minds.”
Have Faith In Me will be joined at today’s trials by fellow Auckland Cup winner stablemate Dream About Me, whose season was also curtailed by health issues but not before she suggested she is a very special mare.
“She looks big and round but we are very happy with her and because these two had earlier spells than the other top horses they will race sooner.
“They are likely to kick off at Addington in two weeks.”The stable’s two New Zealand Cup favourites Lazarus and Heaven Rocks are a month away from the races, with Purdon saying Lazarus has put on muscle without getting any taller.
“I am very happy with him and while the others are very good, he is still clearly the one to beat for me.
“I think Heaven Rocks has as much ability but he doesn’t have the same manners and that could be crucial while Have Faith In Me would have to return right back to his Miracle Mile best of last year to get back to Laz’s level.”
The quartet give the All Stars a unheard of dominance of the New Zealand Cup market, with Titan Banner still a chance to rejoin them from usual trainer Graeme Anderson, although he is set to race at Addington on Friday night in Anderson’s name.
“I haven’t heard exactly what they are planning to do with him so am not sure whether we are getting him back,” says Purdon of last season’s NZ Cup third placegetter.
Also on show at the trials today will be former US trotter Aldebaran Eagle, good enough to trot 1:52 in North America.
“He obviously has real talent but has had a few issues along the way. He will be up to the good trotters here at his best. Whether he is at Monbet’s level we will have to wait and see.”
While Purdon and partner Natalie Rasmussen’s early season focus will as usual be on the Cup meeting at Addington, the odds are shortening on Lazarus heading to Perth for the Inter Dominions shortly after the Addington carnival.
“We have nominated both Laz and Have Faith In Me and the intention is to take Lazarus so he will be going unless there is a problem along the way.”
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