Roy Purdon is entitled to be called the greatest harness racing trainer in our history, but he doesn't get to the races often these days.
"I'm keeping well and get out to the stables of Tony and Barry in the mornings but my hips mean I can't stand up for any length of time so I can't get there as often as I would like" Roy said.
But he will be at Alexandra Park at least once during the upcoming carnival because he has a horse to race.
More The Better, the Bettor's Delight two year old who is All Stars's only two year old representative at the Auckland carnival as a step toward the Young Guns series is now co-owned with Mark Purdon by Roy and his long time friend Sir David Levene.
"Mark selected him at the Sales and he and Natalie gifted me a share which was a great gesture."
"I brought David in with me because we are old friends and have raced horses together before."
"We didn't have any stars but this one certainly seems promising on what he has done so far," Roy said.
While Roy is famous for the number of great horses he has produced over many years Sir David Levene was originally famous for his paint products, taking a family business from a one store shop in 1947 to over 100 through the country by the time the family sold out of the company in 1994.
Since then David Levene, one of the original sponsors of Outward Bound and a long time supporter of many charities and Trusts such as for support of Parkinson's Disease has gained prominence he preferred to avoid as a major sponsor of golfer Lydia Ko in her amateur days.
"We have known each other a long time" Roy said.
"Margaret was a long time friend of the girl David married."
"Actually another sister married Graeme Douglas (Douglas Pharmaceuticals) ; Graeme and David were knighted the same day and neither of them knew the other one was getting the honour as well. "
"I am looking forward to seeing the horse racing."
"I have been around too long to take anything for granted with horses but Mark seems very pleased with him at the moment"
It has been a good start with a dashing trial last week at Rangiora and the trip north worried him not a jot.
His head was in the feed bin as soon as he arrived and now a northern racenight is his next challenge
His breeding– More The Better is a breeder's dream-by siring sensation Bettor's Delight from a sister to Cristian Cullen and cost All Stars $62,500 as a yearling.
He is also a half-brother in blood to Kates First.
His dam is yet to really make her mark at stud but this is her first foal by Bettor's Delight.
A colt by Art Major will be offered at the sales this season by the Radfords who have been so closely associated with this family.
David McCarthy
Reproduced with permission of All Stars Racing Stables – Check site here