By Michael Guerin
Mark Purdon isn’t letting a minor setback ruin the start of his latest Victorian campaign.
Because Purdon is in this one for the long haul, which means spending basically the entire month based in the state.
Australasia’s top trainer flew into Melbourne on Monday and headed to Anton Golino’s stables where he prepares potentially four Breeders Crown favourites for their shots at the title.
Our Waikiki Beach and My MacKenzie had already roaded south from Sydney to be joined by Pacing Major (two-year-old male pacer), Partyon (two-year-old pacing filly) and Custodian (juvenile trotter).
The power-packed assault was supposed to start this Friday at Melton where Purdon wanted to line up Our Waikiki Beach but that didn’t eventuate, not that the boss was too concerned.
“It is no big deal,” sayd Purdon.
“All it means is he will probably have a trial instead now before the Crown semi finals.
“But I am happy with him and he trialled well last week before he came south.”
In fact Purdon is happy with his entire ABC squad, with the fact he will be with them for the next month ominous for rival trainers.
While he has some high class personnel in his employ, Purdon’s team is like most of the other top stables — at its most potent when he or partner Natalie Rasmussen can be hands on with the horses.
Which is exactly what the Victorian-based horses will get during August.
“I will pretty much be here all the way through with them,” says Purdon.
He is thrilled with how his three New Zealand-based juveniles have travelled across, with Custodian to now start the stable assault in the Redwood on Sunday.
“I was really happy with his last trial,” said Purdon.
“He has handled the standing starts well and is quite a sensible horse.
“So I think the Redwood will suit him and it helps that the Crown trots are split on sex.”
His two-year-old pacers Partyon and Pacing Major are already proven at the highest level and Purdon believes they have only improved since impressive Harness Jewels performances on June 4.
“I have been driving Pacing Major a lot myself and really like how he has been working,” says Purdon.
“And the other filly won her ABC heat well and he trialled well too.
“So we are going into the trip with all the horses exactly where he need them, which is a good start.”
The Purdon stars will be joined by plenty of other big names in coming weeks, starting with Temporale and Wilma’s Mate in the Trotting Derby on Sunday.
Both have slight manners concerns but overcame early gallops to win at Alexandra Park and Addington respectively last start and add genuine depth to what should be a great Derby.
Also in the Derby but racing as a Victorian will be Matatoki, who has been sold to Merv and Meg Butterworth and has joined Kerryn Manning.
He still has a bit to learn and probably sits as the least favoured of the Kiwi trio in the race, especially from a second line draw.
And while Purdon has pulled Heaven Rocks from the Breeders Crown after an unsatisfactory trial last week, fellow Canterbury three-year-old pacer Franco Cristiano is coming for trainer Robert Dunn, with his son John to do the driving.
And group one winner Luisanabelle Midfrew, who beat the older mares in the New Zealand Breeders Stakes, races at Addington on Friday night in preparation for the Crown.
She will come over under the guidance of trainer Nigel McGrath with Matthew Williamson to drive but will be transferred after the Crown to Sydney trainer John McCarthy.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
