13 July 2020 | Adam Hamilton | TAB Media
One of New Zealand’s best pacers Turn It Up is heading to Queensland to try and resurrect his career.
The former Auckland Cup winner and three-time Group 1 victor headlines one of three horses the huge All Stars stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen are sending to Queensland next week.
The others are outstanding three-year-old One Change and the emerging Dina Bolt.
“There’s three going this week, but we’re considering sending another couple as well,” Purdon said.
Turn It Up and One Change, last season’s NZ 2YO of the Year, will join Vicki Rasmussen’s stable.
Dina Bolt, a three-year-old with three wins from just nine starts, will continue his career with Darren Weeks and his partner, Kylie Rasmussen.
One Change, who boasts eight wins from just 14 starts and $519,542 in earnings, will return a spell and add plenty of class to next Saturday night’s South-East Derby at Albion Park.
“He’s a lovely horse, but would’ve had to race the best open-class horses if he stayed here, so Queensland is a great option for him,” Natalie Rasmussen said.
One Change’s nine runs this have netted three wins, including the Group 1 NZ Sires Stake final, and six placings. He hasn’t raced since a third in the Group 2 Flying Stakes in Christchurch on March 20.
Turn It Up was NZ’s most exciting pacer last season, but persistent feet issues have sidelined him since winning the Group 1 Harness Jewels final in Christchurch on June 1, last year.
“It’s a real shame with him, but hopefully Vicki can get him back,” Purdon said. “There’s no guarantee, but she wants to have a go with him and swim him in the hope she can get him back to what he was.”
Turn It Up, still only a five-year-old, has raced just 15 times for 11 wins and four seconds.
Purdon expects Dina Bolt to thrive in Queensland.
“He’s lightly-raced and a real up-and-comer. He’s come back well this time and goes across in great order,” he said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
