by Duane Ranger
Nathan Purdon’s first win at Alexandra Park last Friday night meant a lot to him, especially after what his family have achieved on the track over several decades.
“It’s the premier track in the North Island and I know our family have a lot of great history there, especially Grandad (Roy MBE). Actually I went and saw him the day after the races and we had a good talk.
“He was thrilled with my win. That meant a lot to me,” Purdon said.
His grandfather is the family patriarch and patron of the Auckland Trotting Club.
He was a 14-time New Zealand premiership winning trainer – many of those seasons with his eldest son, Barry, who himself is a multiple Group 1 winning New Zealand harness racing legend.
Purdon drove the Jeremy Young trained Jamm Kiss to a head victory. The 3-year-old bay paced the 2200m mobile in 2:44.2 (mile rate 2:00.1) and last 800m and 400m in 59 and 29.2. She was the $2.20 favourite. That was her fourth race-day start.
Purdon sat back and then eased her around the field three-wide down the back straight the last time, and then she fought bravely in the straight to get up right on the line.
“She felt very nice. She had a lot of speed and kept giving all the way up the straight. I don’t think that will be the last race she wins. Jeremy had her spot on,” Purdon said.
Young was a former employee of Purdon’s father Mark, and he watched Nathan grow up. Young was also strapper for the Purdon trained $1.8 million stake earner, Auckland Reactor.
Purdon (Nathan) has now driven eight winners this season – the last four were all in the space of 10 days.
“I’m all over the place,” said Purdon who is the number two driver at Cran Dalgety’s West Melton stable.
“I love driving and want to get in the sulky as much as I possibly can.”
Purdon said he came back from Australia to enjoy the lifestyle.
“There are so many more opportunities for young drivers in Australia. I had about 500 drives in 18 months and won about 70-odd races.
“It was a great experience and I would recommend any young horsemen and women to try it. But I came home because I love New Zealand and the way of life.
“I like the fact that I can race two nights a week and still pursue other interests outside of racing, like squash,” Purdon said.
Purdon has saluted the judge on 16 occasions from 107 ‘part-time’ New Zealand drives since 2014. He’s also placed 16 times and banked $102,290 in stakes. His lifetime UDR strike-rate is 0.2118.
His four wins this season is two-less than his personal best of six achieved in 2014-2015.
“Any winner is special and even though I enjoyed winning at Alexandra Park I think my favourite track would still be Addington Raceway,” said Purdon, who was born in Auckland and educated in Christchurch at both Riccarton and Lincoln High Schools.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
