By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
An emerging rivalry is set to resume at Addington Raceway on Friday night when Krug and It’s All About Faith contest the Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Series No. 37 Heat 2 (1980m). See full series schedule here
It will be the first time the pair will meet since the now Nathan Purdon and Chrissie Dalgety-trained Krug beat out the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained It’s All About Faith in the Gr.1 Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m) at Alexandra Park in March.
The pair have each been undefeated in their two starts this preparation, but Mark Purdon believes his charge will be hard to beat on Friday after drawing three, while Krug will start from the outside barrier in the six horse field.
“It’s All About Faith has turned the corner this year,” Purdon said. “He’s a bit mature now having to have that enforced break (as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown).
“I was pleased with him the other night and his training has been very good since that run. He will certainly take a lot of beating I would expect from the draw.
“I thought he (Krug) was the best two-year-old last season but it will be an interesting contest on Friday night. We are a bit lucky with the way the draws have fallen.”
Purdon will also line-up last-start winners Delightful Dude, Rock Legend, and Stag Party in the same heat and he thinks they are evenly matched heading into Friday’s assignment.
“Krug and It’s All About Faith look the two better horses in the field, but I am sure the third money will be a good even contest,” Purdon said.
“They are all in a good place. They have trained well this week, but it will all depend on how the race is run.”
The All Stars team will also line-up Aladdin and What’s Your Secret in the IRT – Your Horse. Our Passion. Mobile Pace (1980m).
Both three-year-olds finished runner-up last start, but Purdon is leaning towards What’s Your Secret to secure her maiden victory at just the second time of asking.
“They are both going well, particularly What’s Your Secret,” Purdon said.
“That was a particularly good effort on debut. She had a tough run but was right there in the finish. She did very well, so you would have to respect her as probably our number one pick in that race.”
Stablemate Aqua Sancta disappointed when finishing seventh last start, but Purdon is expecting a better showing from the four-year-old entire in the Spectators Bar and Bistro (Junior Drivers) Mobile Pace (1980m).
“I was disappointed with him last start, but he has trained well this week,” he said. “We just have to turn the page and expect a better performance from him.”
Meanwhile, Purdon is still awaiting word of whether he will be able to travel north on Thursday to drive at Alexandra Park’s meeting under level 3 restrictions.
“We don’t know (if we will be able to travel to Auckland), but it’s something that we are going to work on in the next 24 hours and find out what the protocols are,” he said.
“At this stage it doesn’t look like we are going to be able to travel to Auckland.”
While Purdon may not be able to be on track on Thursday, he is expecting three-year-old pacers Nevada and Bettor Call Me to perform well in their respective races.
“Nevada has done well since he has been up there (recording a win and a placing),” Purdon said. “He seems to handle the right-handed way a little bit better.
“He has been training on really well up there so he should be very hard to beat on Thursday.
“Bettor Call Me is a good little horse. He didn’t have much luck last start and he was off colour a few days after that, but he has bounced back now and he should be hard to beat as well.”
