Purdon getting set for spring and Aussie

The All Stars harness racing stables are preparing a strong team for spring racing.

Harnesslink’s Bruce Stewart talked to Nathan Purdon about some of their top liners as we head to the sharp end of the season.

Vessem (Vincent) 3-3-0-0 $63,250.00

• Last raced at Invercargill on 23 April winning the G2 Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic.

“He looks like a real three year old type now. He’s had one trial back and he’ll trial again this week then race ten days later,” Purdon said.

Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) 10-9-1-0   $358,570.00

• Last raced at Addington winning the G1 Garrards Sires’ Stakes Final.

“He’s two weeks away from trialling. He’s come back looking a picture, he’s nice and round. Being a colt he holds his weight really good. He had six weeks out and he’s in a good place. He’ll target the Vero Flying Stakes (13 October) and then build towards the Derby. We contemplated taking him to the Brisbane Carnival but gave him time off instead. I think next year he might have a fairly full on season.”

Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) 24-13-3-3  $895,465.00, Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) 14-14-0-0 $597,482.00, Self Assured (Bettor’s Delight) 57-29-17-7  $2,153,669.00 and Fortify (Bettor’s Delight) 5-2-3-0   $43,216.00

“They’re all coming back on Tuesday. They’ve had a month off after they last raced, and they’ve had a month on the water walker. With Millwood Nike, we’ll get through the Sires Stake then onto the Oaks (10 December). She’ll then have another short break and look towards another Auckland campaign. She will have to take a step up next season being a four year old mare. She’ll be quite highly assessed when she comes back as a four year old so we’ll have to be strategic in how we place her.”

Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) 50-17-10-5   $392,908.00

• Last raced in Auckland 26 May finishing second in the G1 Rowe Cup.

“He’s two weeks away from trialling. He’s big and round and trotting really good. If he has kept the form that he was in his last half a dozen starts he’s certainly competitive in the top company.”

Sherlock (Vincent) 11-5-2-1   $114,682.00, We Can Have It All (Volstead), 3-1-0-0 $22,000, High Step (Father Patrick) 2-0-1-1   $6,125.00 and High Energy (Father Patrick) 7-6-0-1   $114,900.00

“They’re going to Melbourne for a campaign over the next few months. We Can Have It All was purchased in Melbourne so she’s eligible for a lot of races over there for really good prize money. Sherlock is paid up for the Vic Bred Series with the final worth $150,000.00 (16 September). He’ll have a throw at that race then onto the Victorian Derby ($200,000.00 on 14 October) and then the Breeders Crown (November). He’s come back really well and his works been super. High Energy will contest a Need for Speed series in Melbourne (October) and the Victorian Oaks (October). If she’s going well enough, she could take on the boys in the Derby and then onto the Breeders Crown.”

Amore Infida (Captaintreacherous) 1-1-0-0   $4,950.00

• New to the stable.

Amore Infida – Photo Race Images

“She’s a nice high speed filly. When we work her round home she gives the impression that time would be her friend. She should furnish into a nice horse in six to twelve months time. She’s good enough to run in the big races and capitalise on a good draw or the right run on the day.”

Anything Goes (American Ideal) 17-8-4-1   $103,542.00

• Last raced at Addington on Friday winning over 2600 metres.

Anything Goes – Photo Race Images

“He’s a really nice horse. He probably needs to take the next step to match it with the likes of Akuta, Self Assured and Copy That but he’s easily as good as the rest of them.”

Major Hot (Art Major) 5-0-2-1   $19,997.00

• Last raced at Addington on 11 August finishing third.

“The draw took him out of contention last time. Natalie looked after him because we didn’t want a gut buster first up being a two year old. His last closing fraction was 26.5 and to run that off the track you can’t ask for any more. He’s strengthened up and feels a lot better horse than he was in his last campaign.”

Bronson (Vincent) 3-1-0-0   $13,650.00

• Last raced at Ashburton on 5 June finishing fifth in the G2 Sapling Stakes.

“He’s just come back into work. I think he’ll do a nice job, but he’ll want to lift from his last preparation.”

Sinbad (Downbytheseaside) 14-2-3-5   $87,811.00

• Ran second in the Derby behind Don’t Stop Dreaming. Resumed racing again at Addington last Friday.

“He was at eighty percent fitness wise the other night. His training’s been super this week and I think we’ll see twice the horse on Friday.”

Franco Indie (Always B Miki) 18-6-3-3   $171,400.00

• Last raced in the New Zealand Derby in December.

“He’s having a trial next week. He’s got the capabilities of being a Cup horse. He’s had a big break but it’s very hard to step into that grade. There’s no easy way to go now but if he can handle it I think he’ll do a good job. His work’s been very good. He did beat Akuta so the talent is obviously there.”

The Trotting watchlist:

Light O Love (Father Patrick – Emma Hamilton two year old filly).

“Right from day dot when she came in she felt like a really nice horse.”

Wanna Play A Game (Tactical Landing – Wanna Play two year old filly).

“She’s royally bred, and I think both horses will be nice in time.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink