By Michael Guerin
All the big guns look set to back up in Friday’s $250,000 New Zealand Free-For-All.
The trainers behind the major placegetters in yesterday’s Cup have all nominated for the sprint, the second leg of the group one pacing double.
While Arden Rooney is a rock hard stayer who was always likely to return for the free-for-all, runner-up Smolda will also be in the acceptors.
“Blowing the standing start cost him today, it was just bad timing,” said co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon. “But he went super and he will be here Friday.”
Barry Purdon has the same plans for Sky Major, who was one of the disappointments of the Cup, although his sharpness was blunted by a flat tyre carried for the last lap.
“It didn’t help but I still think he performed maybe a little below his best,” said Purdon. “But he will be back on Friday.”
Tony Herlihy was similarly lukewarm on Ohoka Punter’s performance after a handy run on a tempo that should have suited him but he will also be in Friday’s $250,000 thriller.
One big gun from yesterday who won’t though is Have Faith In Me, who went close to national record time for 2600m mobile winning the junior free-for-all even though he was gawking around and hanging.
“He had a hard enough run today and I think we will wait with him and his next big aim will be the Auckland Cup,” said Mark Purdon.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
