Talented pacer Smolda will begin his Australian harness racing campaign on Thursday night when he races in the Group Two Renshaw Cup at Penrith.

Trained by leading New Zealand horseman Mark Purdon, Smolda's last outing resulted in a fifth behind Christen Me in the Easter Cup at Addington on April 4.

"There was another race that we could have targeted in New Zealand, but I wasn't sure whether there would be enough starters, so I decided to bring him to Australia and the Renshaw Cup is a good starting point for him," Purdon said.

"He hasn't had a lot of racing this season, and if he was to be spelled now, it would be a lengthy break because there would be no reason to bring him back until the New Zealand Cup. He can have a few starts in Sydney and then I will think about taking him to Queensland for the Winter Carnvial."

Smolda's last Australia start was in the 2014 Inter Dominion when he finished fourth behind Beautide.

"I watched Beautide at Menangle on Saturday night, he's just a great horse and looks to be unstoppable on that track, so he is going to be hard to beat in the Len Smith Mile," Purdon declared.

Purdon is unsure of Smolda's ability to handle the smaller Penrith track.

"He's always brushed a knee, so the bigger tracks are better for him, but he has been working well at the McCarthy property since he arrived late last week in Australia," Purdon said.

"There are some talented horses in the Renshaw Cup and he is going to have to be close to his best off the second row draw."

Last season's boom youngster Follow The Stars will also compete at Penrith, with the son of Art Major engaged in a C1 event.

With a number of talented horses in his stable, Purdon is considering travelling between New Zealand and Australia more often than he has in the past.

"It is quite possible that we will do more travelling now," Purdon said. "With the calibre of horses we have in the stable it makes sense that the better races are targeted."

"Nat (Rasmussen) and I have a great staff at home in New Zealand, and with such a good team behind us, it gives us the opportunity to be away from home more often than we have been before."

Purdon's smart two-year-old Our Waikiki Beach will compete at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night  in a semi-final of the Australian Pacing Gold.

"I was really happy with him after he won his heat, he worked really well this morning (Tuesday) and the draw isn't too bad for Our Waikiki Beach this weekend," Purdon said.

"I haven't asked him to leave the gate yet, but he would have plenty of speed early if I wanted to use it."

My Mackenzie was beaten as a short priced favourite in a APG heat for two-year-old fillies at Menangle last Saturday night and Purdon will be looking for some improvement when she heads to Melbourne for the semi-finals.

"She has a few little issues that we need to straighten out after Saturday night, she is a work in progress but she has her fair share of ability too," Purdon said.

– HRNSW Media