Today New Zealand's top harness racing trainers start their quest towards winning a number of targeted group races this season, including this years Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup in November.
Winners of the New Zealand trainers premiership for the last four years, the All Stars Stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen have five horses entered at Addington today and are quickly expected to rack up the wins and add to their incredible winning strike rate they manage to achieve each season.
Purdon and Rasmussen have a two-pronged attack on this years New Brighton Cup, with both top mare Dream About Me and Miracle Mile winner Have Faith In Me entered in today's race,
Dream About Me and Have Faith In Me have been well schooled at the trials and workouts in the last few weeks, with both horses placing behind one of today's rivals Imola at the Rangiora workouts on the 6th September.
Mark Purdon thought Have Faith In Me would have a slight edge fresh up, saying "Dream About Me has had a longer break and she can be a bit vulnerable fresh up, but we will be happy if she is running on at the finish"
Stable star Lazarus ran third in the New Brighton Cup last year, before going on to win the New Zealand Cup by ten lengths in a record time of 3-53.1 for the 3200m stand.
Mark and Natalie also have the well regarded "Chase Auckland" having his first start at the races today after some tidy trial performances in the last few weeks.
The speedy Auckland Reactor gelding has drawn well at barrier five today, and will be driven by Natalie Rasmussen in what is a very strong non winners race.
Mark will drive the stablemate Conway Beach in the same race, but thought Chase Auckland was the better chance of the two.
Renkse B rounds out the day for the Purdon/Rasmussen stable in Race 8 and the smart Mach Three mare will be driven today by Nathan Purdon. Renkse B has been flying at the trials but has come up with the outside barrier draw which will make it tough with some quick horses drawn inside her.
Harnesslink Media