The two day suspension of Nathan Williamson for a whip-rule violation at Oamaru on Sunday has provided his right hand man Matt Purvis with a pretty attractive book of drives at Invercargill on Saturday.
Although domiciled in the south since the beginning of the season, none of the five wins recorded by junior driver Purvis this term have been achieved in Southland and only one has been for a trainer from within the province. He has seven drives on Saturday, all seven are for Southland trainers and five of them are for Williamson.
Not surprisingly, Purvis rates Poppymalda in the Southland Farm Machinery Fire Of 2016 R53 to R90 trot, his best if the day. The six year old is unbeaten in two starts since returning from a break, which began in December 2015 following a tendon injury in her right (off) hind leg. Purvis has been part of the comeback. “I drive her every day,” he said.
Third at the previous Ashburton Jewels, Poppymalda clearly has the quality to make it a hat-trick but off 45 metres over only 2200, it won't be easy in a useful 12-horse field.
“She usually pings the gate, I hope we can make use of that,” said Purvis who takes the reins of Williamson runners in all three of the day's trots.
The consistent Denn Nee Nose Best takes her place in the Nothing Runs Likes A Deere up to R53 Trot. Used early from the eight-draw last week to lead then trail, the mare produced her usual honest finish for fourth. From the handy four-barrier this week she looks a top hope again.
Svelt contests the Southland Farm Machinery & Tractor Hire South Trot for non-winners and has drawn the ace. The filly, raced by Williamson's wife Katie, had her first raceday experience last week and went away well from one on the second line but broke after about 250 metres when being eased off the back of the runner in front of her. It was later ruled Svelt should have started from seven off the front and she was declared a non-runner.
“She's come a long way in a short time and has got ability,” said Purvis, “I won't punch her out, I'll look after her, if she holds together she can be in it.”
First starter Born To Run contests the John Deere 9R Series Tractors Mobile Pace for non-winner males. The two year old is a half-brother to Dancing In the Dark, a winner for Purvis at Timaru in November. Both are co-owned by his father John.
“He's still green but has got a motor, we've got a high opinion of him but eight's not an ideal draw.”
Purvis drives Gangnam Style in the Southland Farm Machinery Home Of John Deere R58 to R68 Mobile Pace. Two starts back the four year old finished second at Forbury Park after leading early and trailling for the final 1300 metres.
Handy early last week, he was shuffled back and had too much to do in the straight.
“He hasn't been getting the most economic runs but with the right trip he can be in it,” said Purvis.
His first outside drive comes on Tangled Up In Blue for Brent McIntyre. The son of Panspacificflight goes from barrier two in the John Deere 8R Series Tractors up to R46 Mobile Pace.
“His run last week was better than it looked and from a good draw we should get up on the speed, that's his go,” said Purvis whose other outside drive is Steve Baucke's Delight My Soul in the John Deere 6R & 6M Tractors R54 to R57 Mobile Pace. Her 13-draw continues the run of outside marbles that have dogged the four year old since her win three-starts back.
“She had no luck from wide draws at Addington but has a good burst with just one run and should be in it,” Purvis remarked.
Mac Henry