Royal stroll
Purvis sets sights on first Group 1 victory
First starter Royal Monarch (Royal Aspirations) annihilated his harness racing rivals when winning at Addington last night.
Driver John Dunn settled the two year old three back on the inside but when the leader Donavan started to go rough, Dunn shot him around the outside to lead and proceeded to put a big gap on his opposition.
“That’s where Johnny to his credit is so good with them. He can get wee trotters to balance up. He hit Timmy (Tim Williams and Donavan) at the right time. As it worked out, Tim’s one didn’t like the grit much once we went past it, so it only added to our chances,” trainer Matt Purvis said.
Royal Monarch went down to the line, winning by eight and a half lengths.
“Johnny is sticking with him, so that’s always a good confidence builder. He said he just jogged it last night, we had the hood on and he did it in second gear.”
ROYAL MONARCH REPLAY
TK Supersonic ran second, making it a Royal Aspirations quinella.
“He’s always given us a great feel and everyone that’s driven him has fallen in love with him so it was good for him to deliver on the track. He’s a dude. He had a bit of a mishap when he got gelded and is lucky to be here, but he’s always been a wee gentleman.”
Purvis will now head north to Auckland for the Young Gun Two Year Old Trotters Series with the prelude on 26th April and $100,000 final in early May.
“Yeah that’s the plan. Barry (Purdon)and Scott (Phelan) have got one that’s trialled up quite nice and Dylan and Jo Ferguson’s ones are trotting a solid tempo as well, so it’ll make it a good race.”
The juvenile is owned by Grassy Meadows Farm Ltd which belongs to Matt’s father John. He’s out of the Majestic Son mare Miss Moppet, which won three races for Purvis.
“It’s quite good for the old man. He’s raced the first two. The third foal by Habibi Inta which we broke in is very similar to Royal Monarch.”
Miss Moppet’s first foal Living On A Prayer, (Creatine) also shows promise, having won one of her three starts.
Royal Monarch’s sire Royal Aspirations was a smart two year old, winning five of his ten starts at that age including the Two Year Old Ruby at Cambridge where he ran a mile in 1-56.5 which is still a New Zealand record. He was named Two Year Old Trotter of the Year in 2011-2012.
For complete race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
Comments