The last time New Zealand harness racing trainer Mark Purdon was in Australia he was setting records with champion mare Adore Me.
The leading kiwi horseman will be back at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday to drive talented two-year-old Our Waikiki Beach in an Australian Pacing Gold heat.
Our Waikiki Beach is owned by a syndicate including New Zealander Trevor Casey, and after a minor hiccup on Thursday morning, the popular owner is looking forward to seeing the son of Somebeachsomewhere race in Sydney.
“We think a lot of the horse, but we hope the fog isn’t an issue on Friday morning,” Casey said. “It rolled in at the wrong time in Christchurch today, which meant the plane couldn’t land to pick him up, so the horse has had to stay in New Zealand for a day longer than expected.
“He has only had the two starts here, he won the Kindergarten Stakes on debut beating one of his stablemates and then won the Welcome Stakes at Addington last week.
“Although he didn’t run a fast time overall, his last half was very quick.”
Our Waikiki Beach was purchased at the Melbourne APG Sales and Casey said he was keen to secure the colt out of Cyclone Betty – a daughter of Bettors Delight.
“We bought a yearling the year prior by Somebeachsomewhere and he was called Assassinator, he was a really nice horse, but we sold him, so I was keen to get another one by Somebeachsomewhere,” Casey explained
“Our Waikiki Beach still has to get through the heats, but I have already booked my tickets to come across to Menangle on the day of the Final (April 26), so I really hope he gets through.”
Casey confirmed Our Waikiki Beach may spend a lot of time in Australia towards the end of the season.
“He is eligible for a lot of the Aussie feature races, he has got the Breeders’ Challenge, the Vicbred and the Breeders Crown still to go,” Casey said.
“Mark will drive him on Tuesday and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
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HRNSW Media