Leading New Zealand harness racing trainer Mark Purdon has set his sights on Sydney and is set to hit the ground running this Friday when Our Waikiki Beach returns to Tabcorp Park Menangle. The son of Somebeachsomewhere won all of his twelve starts last season and will fly in on Wednesday with stablemate Our Dream About Me.
Our Dream About Me is also undefeated and will take her spot in Saturday night's Raith Memorial at Menangle but Purdon has suggested his filly is not fully wound up.
"There is a lot of improvement in her, she's big in condition and only had the one trial after a good break so I'd suggest she is a bit vulnerable," Purdon said.
"She's in Sydney for the NSW Oaks and we've arrived early enough to give her the time to get some racing under her belt for that series."
Star four-year-old pacer Have Faith In Me is set to fly into Australia on January 20th and will compete in the first Chariots Of Fire qualifier on January 23rd at Menangle.
"Have Faith In Me has been good since the Auckland Cup, he had a couple of days off after that but I'm very happy with where he is at the moment.
"He'll fly directly into Sydney, there looks to be a lot of good four year olds in Australia and it should be a very exciting series for them."
Purdon was questioned about whether he would start Have Faith In Me in the Miracle Mile if he was successful in the Chariots Of Fire, with the winner gaining automatic entry.
"Probably but I'll make my decision as he progresses, I wouldn't want to knock him around too much because I think he is going to be a serious horse on the Grand Circuit in coming years."
Smolda may contest the Miracle Mile qualifiers on February 13 after his Victorian campaign but again Purdon will wait to see whether the horse is effected by several tough runs.
"It is pretty tough on the horses with the Hunter Cup being on one week and the Miracle Mile qualifiers on the next because you have to keep in mind that the horses will have to travel up to Sydney and the weather could be extremely hot, it is a big ask, we'll wait and see.
"Fight For Glory is coming over to Sydney as well to compete in the mares' races, she is tightly assessed over here so we'll see how she measures up."
Greg Hayes