It took a little less than eight years before the Purdons Andre Poutama return for the outright group 1 that they cost him.
But they paid that back, this time completely, when Shezsofast won the Caduceus Club classic in Alexandra Park on Friday evening.
The Mark and Nathan Purdon-educated daughter of Vincent Everywhere led to keeping a brave Lizzie signs in the group 1, giving Driver Poutama his first full victory at the highest level.
He won the group 1 Rosslands Queen of Hearts in Alexandra Park in 2017 with Jo’s Dream, but had to share that in a Deadhat with Partyon, co-educated by Mark.
Just as Harness Racing often does, things change and that also applies to staff and now Poutama often drives for Mark and Nathan and has cut a group 1 that he does not have to share.
Poutama fits well with the new northern stable, never afraid to take a race at the neck and the show initiative, but you still need the horse to do it and Shezsofast was good on Friday, although second place was so brave.
The winner is a co-ownership of thoroughbred training legend Jim Gibbs and his wife Ann, who have dived deep into the Harness Racing Pool over the past decade or more.
“They love it and have become good friends,” said Mark.
“Jim is so well informed, so it’s great to achieve such a victory for them and the other owners. It’s a real sensation.”
While Shezsofast showed the benefits in the front in large races, they were made a backup again by the gambler in the Irt Spring Cup, albeit after a few nervy moments.
Shezsofast -Herling
The beautiful sprinter defended his title of last season, but had to overcome an early Bobble before driver Harrison Orange let him roll to the lead.
Just like that everything came out earlier, the gamblers probably seemed like a sitting duck, a round of home, because favorite Merlin had protected the one of his 20 m and was jumping.
But Orange showed that he learned from his first victory over Sooner the Bettor, knowing this time to let him run on clean lines and not let his rivals get too close and those tactics proved to win the race.
He ran its last 800m in 56.2 seconds and last 400m in 27.8 to keep the surfer with a neck out with Merlin a good third but still a favorite to become the victim of the early season curse of the backmarkers.
Merlin will of course improve and will go to the Holmes DG on 3 October and then to the south to dispute the Canterbury Classic on October 17, an earlier than expected start of his southern campaign.
The Purdon/Phelan Stable had a great night with three victories, including war leader in the stakes of his Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes, while Arna Donnelly trained two and had every reason to be happy with her open class horses in the Spring Cup.
But one of the victories of the Night came home from Trotter Westar Milly, who flew home in the last 100 meters, which came out in the last 100m two lengths to give trainers Derek and Neita Balle in about 24 hours after Conrad H won in Cambridge on Thursday.
For complete race results, Click here
Through Michael GuerinFor Harnas Racing New -Zeeland
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