By Matt Markham
It’s getting pretty hard for Mark Purdon not to feel confident about next month’s New Zealand Trotting Cup now.
At the end of the day, the master horseman’s drive, Lazarus just looks head and shoulders above his rivals.
He put on a showcase yesterday at Ashburton in the Group Two Ashburton Flying Stakes, working to the lead at the 900 metre mark and dashing away at the top of the straight to win from Have Faith In Me.
“He took another step up this week,” Purdon said.
“For a small field there was a bit going on out there, especially early on in proceedings but this guy just relaxed like he normally does and took it all in his stride.
“I guess I can’t really not be confident looking forward to the Cup because he’s handling everything we are throwing at him, and more. He’s exactly where I want him to be.”
While Purdon’s confidence grew, that of his training partner Natalie Rasmussen began to waiver even if only for a moment.
Have Faith In Me got the stand start right, but he then brought back those erratic pacing tendencies he had in in his early days. They came when he really began to stretched out, especially inside the final 200 metres and Rasmussen looked set to lose the gelding’s gait but did a wonderful job to keep him pacing.
“I don’t know what to say anymore, he’s just a bit of an idiot.
“We got one part right, and he’s gone very good again, but that pacing rough business is a little concerning.”
Field Marshal was very impressive in running third after missing away while Christen Me was his usual self in running a good fourth after getting locked away on the markers.
Moments before the Flying Stakes, Dream About Me left a few tongues wagging when she paced a stunning 2.56.5 fresh up from behind the barrier strand to win the intermediate grade pace.
It was faultless stuff from a stunning mare and her co-trainer, Purdon – was suitably impressed.
“She’s something special to be able to do that fresh up against some very nice horses.
“I’m over the moon with the way she has come back.”
Purdon said the royally bred mare would probably miss Cup Day and hope that there’s a spot for her in the Group One New Zealand Free-For-All on Show Day, Friday.
“I don’t like the idea of running her over 2600m on the Tuesday and then backing her up in the Free-For-All, if the Tuesday was 2000m, then no worries.
“But I don’t think I can take that risk with her.”
Monday’s effort was an All Star demolition job as they marched to six wins from seven possible races.
It started with Vincent in the first and ended with Superfecta in the last and what came in between was impressive.
You Gotta Have Faith showed a bit of true grit to win for Rasmussen while Mr Mojito showed he’s an open class star in the making with his fresh up victory.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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