By Adam Hamilton
Young trainer-driver Nathan Purdon is tossing around “Plan B’s” for rejuvenated open-class star Ohoka Punter.
Purdon had his sights on the Group 2 Breeders Crown Graduate free-for-all at Melton on August 26, but learned today the star pacer was ineligible.
“He would have been ready to go and it would have been an ideal race for him, but HRV got back to me and said he was not eligible,” he said.
“It’s a shame because it looked a good race for him, but now I’ll have to look elsewhere.”
Ohoka Punter scored his biggest open-class win when he ploughed through a bog track to win the Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on July 16.
Purdon then confirmed the Perth Inter Dominion – not the NZ Cup – was his target.
Ohoka Punter’s Inter Dominion odds were slashed from $51 pre the Blacks A Fake to $12.
“I’m back down in Victoria now and the plan is to just pick and choose our way through free-for-alls with him between now and when we head to Perth,” Purdon said.
Purdon has started a new role with emerging young trainer Anton Golino – private trainer for Pat Driscoll’s huge Yabby Dams operation.
“I’m here for 12 months. My brother (Michael) is Anton’s stable foreman,” he said.
“It’s an amazing set-up here with so many young, well-bred horses and plenty of driving opportunities as well.
“While Greg (Sugars) gets the pick of the drives, I’m second in line and with so many horses coming through I’m going to get a lot of chances.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
