All Stars youngsters head to Kindergarten

Mark Purdon shoots for five Kindergartens in a row and a remake of the classic 2014 Wyndham Cup is on the cards, making Saturday's feature meeting at the Young Quinn Raceway one to savour.

Purdon's success in the Kindergarten began slowly and his early winners, So Cool and Sir Clive, were six years apart.

He was both the trainer and the driver then, hasn't been on the winner since but prepared Messini to win for Tim Williams in 2013, Itz Bettor To Win for Blair Orange in 2014, Waikiki Beach for Brent Barclay in 2015 and Pacing Major for Dexter Dunn in 2016.

For the last three he was training in partnership with Natalie Rasmussen and last year their runners actually took out the trifecta with More The Better second and You Gotta Have Faith third. Purdon's most recent drive in the race was on Alta Ronaldo, third in 2014, and he was looking forward to reining All U Need Is Faith this year, but on Thursday the brother to last year's winner was scratched.

That has left them with Major Lucky, half-brother to last year's runner up, and Auckland Rector's niece The Devils Own, to represent them on Saturday.

Both have trialled well and sprinted home impressively without winning. Until they have had a chance on raceday, Purdon said he was reluctant to label them but did reveal that Rasmussen had done all the work with The Devil's Own and picked him as the best.

Major Lucky, he said, was a good gaited youngster and from the one draw capable of going out from the start quickly and bowling along in front. The Devil's Own has drawn the outside of the front line.

In his first trial, The Devil's Own finished runner up to Tuapeka Trick, one of two Robert Dunn reps in the Kindergarten. He is the drive of son Dexter on Saturday but was handled in the trial by son John, soon led and raced clear in the straight.

He debuted for John at Addington on 23 February, was left parked for the last 1300 metres, but stuck gamely for fourth.

John Dunn said Tuapeka Trick would have finished closer with an easier run but he hasn't been knocked by it. With a good run this week he could be in it, said Dunn, who be aboard stablemate The Brooklyn Brawler.

A winner for Maurice McKendry at Alexandra Park in December, The Brooklyn Brawler was back south for the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton. In the hands of Dunn, he led from the 1100, was out finished by Cole Porter but still clocked just a tick over 1:54 for the trip.

Dunn confirmed it was a really good run and said the Art Major colt has a bit of early speed so he is likely to go out hard early and see what happens. He names The Brooklyn Brawler the best of his pair.

The thought of 50 metre markers Titan Banner and Costa Del Magnifico fighting out the finish of the 3200 metre Wyndham Cup brings back memories of three years ago when Franco Ledger from 40 metres got up by a head over Arden Rooney, from 30 metres in the hands of Mark Purdon, but had to clock a record 3:57.0 to do it.

Previously trained by his Otago part-owner Graeme Anderson, Titan Banner joined Purdon and Rasmussen midway through last year. At the beginning of this year, Titan Banner was with Purdon in Auckland and due to fly to Melbourne when he hurt a leg in a paddock incident.

“He had 10 days off in Auckland after that then we sent him down to Graeme on the beach,” Purdon said.

Anderson noted, “There was a bit of racing coming up, his leg scanned really well, we had the ocean nearby so we put it to work. We've got the Wyndham and Northern Southland Cups then we'll discuss it with Mark where to go from there. He's done all that's been asked of him, he's healthy, his work's good, he's ready to go two miles, I'm confident he'll be hard to beat, there'll be no excuses.”

Costa Del Magnifico has recently finished third at Waikouaiti from 45 metres and won at Gore from 35 metres, to satisfy his trainer Brent Shirley.

 “I'm pleased with his last two races, he's worked on very well and his attitude in training has lifted, he seems to be back to where he should have been if he hadn't had the virus,” Shirley said.

“Health-wise and fitness-wise he is very well, he's been stepping well and how he steps, and how the others step will be a big factor at Wyndham.”

John Dunn will drive Franco Cristiano who goes from 20 metres in the Cup.

“He was checked last start and galloped, I took him the workouts and he had no problems,” Dunn said, “he is well and the two miles will be no worry.”

Mac Henry