Harness racing trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen and their All Stars Stables have a very good representation in the Hydroflow "Easter Buny" Pace for Rating 90 and faster pacers at Addington on Saturday.
The stable have four of the seven runners in the $17,000 race with Ashley Locaz (Mark Purdon), Elle Mac (Olivia Thornley), Funatthebeach (Tim Williams) and Eamon Maguire (Natalie Rasmussen) all having a start.
Of the four, Mark Purdon thought that Eamon Maguire would be the best of the All Stars runners when assessing the stable chances during the week.
"I think Natalie’s drive Eamon Maguire will be the hardest of ours in the open handicap.
"These four are all smart horses as we know if one level below the likes of Spankem and Turn It Up and they can all do it in this class on their day.
"Eamon Maguire seems well and I think you will see an improved horse on Saturday compared to his last run when the field was tougher."
Eamon Maguire an Art Major 5yo has been out of form for his last five starts, but struck form about this time last year running a couple of terrific races at Addington before heading North and running an eyecatching second to A G's Whitesocks in the Gr1 Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park.
He then went on to win the Gr1 NZ Messenger Championship on the same track before winning the 4yo Emerald at the Cambridge Harness Jewels in 1-51.9 a few weeks later.
Saturday's assignment looks well within his grasp with Natalie Rasmussen taking over the reigns this time from Jonny Cox who has driven him in his first three starts this year.
Earlier in the program Mark Purdon looks a moral to take out the third heat of the Garrards Sires Stakes Series for 2yo colts and geldings with classy pacer Smooth Deal.
"He is forward for a big race Saturday."
Heat 7 of the Nevele R Fillies Series is Race 3 on the day and features the Purdon/Rasmussen trained Princess Tiffany up against a handy field of 3yo fillies including the speedy Kendra and improving Wainui Creek.
"Princess Tiffany is well and ready to go so she should be hard to beat," Mark said.
Trotter Winterfell gets into a winnable race with Purdon thinking he would be a top chance to run in the money.
"I am hoping Winterfell is at least in the first three," he said.
"He is training up fine but I would like to see him transfer that to raceday and get a confidence boost. I think that will help him a lot.
The only Group race on the day is the (Gr3) Majestic Son NZ 2yo Trotting Stakes for $30,000.
It is hard to see the unbeaten Greg and Nina Hope trained Muscle Mountain being rolled in this race after being so dominant in his first three races.
He is likely to start a short priced favourite with Ultimate Stride from a bad draw and the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained trotting filly Tallored Elegance his main dangers.
Harnesslink Media