Because not only does the meeting feature the first youth race of the season, but Purdon also dominates it with four of the seven starters.
The $17,000 Breckon Farms Young Gun heat (8.05pm) starts on the road to the $100,000 final at Alexandra Park on March 20 and the series looks set to be a great advertisement for Purdon’s new business as he trains on his own account.
It looks good, we have 25 horses working and 37 on the books,” he explained.
“And this is a phase of the season that we really like, when the two-year-olds come out.
“It’s always been a big part of Dad’s career because he loved training the babies and I’m the same way.”
Purdon says Coal Face (R7, No.6) is clearly his quartet’s best chance tonight.
“He is a very natural pacer who is good in training,” he explains.
“Andre (Poutama), who will do most of my main riding when Dad is not available, will be riding him this week and I am very happy with the way he is handling our horses.
“I think Dontgetmestarted (Sweet Lou) is the next best for this Friday as he is very professional and ready to go, while I think the other two are more permanent horses who will improve as the series progresses.”
Earlier in the evening, Purdon is represented by the enigmatic Pantani who is on the front line in the first race.
Pantani once looked like a novice open class trotter before his manners consistently let him down and they threatened to do so again in the first outing for Purdon at Cambridge on December 24, before recovering from a jump at the top of the straight to win.
“He is a difficult horse and has a few problems,” says Nathan.
“He can trot clear for five or six sessions in a row and then canter for no reason in the next session.
“I think the key is to get his confidence back and if he can’t be up front this week, if he can step and stay up front that could suit him well.”
However, Pantani is making a big step up in class as he has proven group horses like One More Moment and Courmayeur just 10 meters behind him at the start.
Tonight’s meeting will also feature two Metro heats for both the pacers and trotters, leading to the $35,000 finals at The Park on January 30.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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