by Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Millwood Nike was able to keep her unbeaten streak intact at Alexandra Park on Friday night when taking out the Gr.1 Northern Oaks (2700m).
While she was backed into $1.10 favouritism by punters, the daughter of Captaintreacherous didn’t get everything her own way.
She was forced to work to get to the front before Dylan Ferguson wrestled the lead off the favourite with Wicked Wanda with two laps to go, however, driver Mark Purdon wasn’t content in the trail with Millwood Nike and quickly recaptured the lead.
Millwood Nike was left untroubled in front and scored a comfortable 1-1/2 length victory over a game Diamonds Are Forever, with a further half-length back to Seaclusion in third.
Driver and co-trainer Mark Purdon was rapt with the win.
“She is a star,” said Purdon, who trains in partnership with his son Nathan. “She is just beautiful to drive and is so kind. She works in with you and is a real pleasure.
“It didn’t work out exactly as I had planned. David Butcher came out and looked for the front (with Kourtney Kardash), but he got on Maurice’s (McKendry) back and I popped out then and went to the front.
“Dylan (Ferguson) was right on the hammer (with Wicked Wanda), he turned up pretty quick and pretty aggressively.
“It was probably not how I expected it to work out, but it worked out well in the long run.”
It was Purdon’s 11th training win in the race and he said it was made even more special by the fact he was able to win it with his son.
“It is wonderful, and he (Nathan) is doing a great job back at home,” Purdon said.
“We talk every day about the team and how they are going.”
Millwood Nike was purchased out of Millwood Farm’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred Yearling sale draft by All Stars Racing Stables for $75,000.
She has gone on to win all 11 of her starts to date, including four at Group One level – Ace Of Diamonds (1980m), Sires’ Stakes Fillies Final (1980m), Caduceus Club 2YO Fillies Classic (2200m), and Northern Oaks.