Was Our Waikiki Beach 'phat or fat'?

Monday 15th June 2015 – New Zealand trainer Mark Purdon has a scary proposition for rival harness racing trainers after Our Waikiki Beach won a semi final of the Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night. The two year old is yet to taste defeat after eight starts but Purdon believes there is improvement in the son of Somebeachsomewhere despite scorching home in 26.7 seconds on the weekend.

"I wasn't 100% happy with Our Waikiki Beach going into the race on Saturday night, he was still good enough and I was pleased with the overall time but I now have the fortnight to work on him before the final," said Purdon.

"I think he's doing too well, he did very well since his last win, I thought he looked a little too round during the week but the run on the weekend will tighten him up."

Purdon confirmed the talented youngster has strengthened throughout his campaign.

"Our Waikiki Beach hasn't taken a lot of work in the past but he might be a bit stronger now and may just need a little bit more work."

"I think the NSW Breeders Challenge is a great series, everyone gets their chance, they break the fields up nicely for the heats and all those that are paid up get a chance."

Our Waikiki Beach

Our Waikiki Beach was the second leg of a NSW Breeders Challenge semi final double with Our Golden Goddess also keeping her unbeaten record intact after being crossed in the early stages.

"Our Golden Goddess is still learning, she felt pretty good tonight and she could have come out of the gate faster if needed."

"Dancing With Miley had my measure early and there was nothing else around so I thought I'd look after my filly and cruise around once we settled down."

The daughter of Art Major ran 1:55.1, three seconds slower than the first semi final won by Heavens Trend.

"The two weeks between the semi and the final suits my filly, she had a nice run on Saturday and it wasn't too taxing, we just have to prime her up for the final to run 1:52.0 because Heavens Trend was very impressive and will take a lot of beating."

Our Golden Goddess

Smolda provided the stable with a treble at Menangle on Saturday night giving Purdon a total of 20 winners as a trainer in Australia this season.

Smolda

Greg Hayes