The unbeaten pacer Our Waikiki Beach will be out to extend his winning streak to 19 races at Penrith on Thursday night when he competes in a heat of the Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge. Trained by leading New Zealand horseman Mark Purdon, the Australian bred son of Somebeachsomewhere has only started twice across the Tasman with the gelding having won a dozen of his races at Australia’s premier harness racing track, Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Luke McCarthy will drive Our Waikiki Beach on Thursday night, it is the fourth time he has had the honour of driving the star. Purdon has sat behind him on nine occasions, Natalie Rasmussen four times and John McCarthy and Brent Barclay have had one drive each.
Our Waikiki Beach has won four Group 1 races. As a two year old he won the Australian Pacing Gold, the NSW Breeders Challenge and the Australasian Breeders Crown. This season he took out the rich New South Wales Derby. The gelding has won $665,221 in his career and there has never been a faster three year old in the Southern Hemisphere. Our Waikiki Beach equalled the time set by Border Control of 1:50.6 when he won a race at Menangle in February.
Only six standardbreds have won more than 19 consecutive races in Australasia. San Simeon holds the record with a winning streak of 29. Lucky Creed, Maori’s Idol and Courage Under Fire won 24 races in a row while Aachen and Lyell Creek won 20. With a victory on Thursday night Our Waikiki Beach will join Satinover, Hyperstat, Village Kid and Lombo Pocket Watch with 19.
When asked to describe Our Waikiki Beach, trainer Mark Purdon is quick to look towards the gelding’s future.
“He has all the qualities that suggest he is going to take the next step to compete against the very best horses,” Purdon said.
“I wouldn’t say he was a standout as a young horse but we always thought he had plenty of ability. While he is a son of Somebeachsomewhere there is a lot of Bettors Delight in him from his mother and he has a very laid back and relaxed attitude.”
Purdon expects to be in Sydney to drive Our Waikiki Beach in a semi final of the Breeders Challenge and will also take the reins in the final.
“That’s the plan at this stage. We’ll see how he gets through the Breeders Challenge, but we are planning on taking him to the Breeders Crown later in the season.
“I don’t know whether he should be classed as an Australian or New Zealander because he has only had two starts in New Zealand, maybe the Aussies should claim him because he was born and bred there.”
We’ll take him Mark!
Greg Hayes