Harness racing enthusiasts in Australia have gotten use to the blue with grey stars colours of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen raiding their feature age group races over the last few years and a team of three left New Zealand today on the latest raid
Last weekends New Zealand Welcome Stakes winner Waikiki Beach is headed for the heats of the APG for the colts and geldings at Menangle on April 7th.
The impressive looking two year old son of Somebeachsomewhere has the ability to go with the looks and looks set to give the APG series a big shake.
Also on the plane to Sydney today with him is the smart filly MacKenzie who made a lovely debut against the best colts in New Zealand in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes, running home late for a close up fourth.
The big strapping daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven is held in high regard by the All Stars barn and will kick off her APG campaign in the heats at Melton on April 10th.
A late addition to the team heading to Australia was the star three year old Follow The Stars who due to being handicapped as an open class horse in New Zealand has little in the way of suitable races to line up in.
Mark Purdon believes the handicapping system in Australia is much more accommodating to a horse like Follow The Stars.
"He is an M1 over there and not hard to place."
"With so many races being restricted to four year old and over in the grades here in New Zealand, he has few opportunities coming up" Mark said.
Mark's son Michael Purdon will be there to greet the team when it arrives on Thursday.
Mark flies to Sydney on Easter Monday to prepare the three horse team which will be based at Luke McCarthy's property while in Sydney..
Harnesslink Media