Trots Centre: Mikayla making most of her time in Oz

Mikayla Lewis might not be known to many of us here in Australia, but she makes up an integral part of the Nathan Purdon training operation in Avalon.

The 21-year-old is the partner of Purdon and recently made the trip with him from homeland New Zealand to begin life in a new country.

So far, it’s working well as the couple starts to establish itself in Victoria, where they are joined by Group 1-winning reinsman and fellow Kiwi Stuart McDonald.

Lewis, who grew up around horses and even worked for the powerful All Stars Racing team before moving abroad, said the decision to pack up and cross the Tasman was one that had been good so far.

“I think it was probably more Nathan wanted to do it. We talked to Mark (Purdon) and Natalie (Rasmussen) a lot and they just thought it could be an idea to have a change up and try go out on (his own),” Lewis said.

“Just to try something new. While we were so young it made sense to give it a go and if it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out. But so far it’s worked out well for us and we are just hoping it can continue.”

While helping work the team of horses in Avalon, Lewis also dabbles in driving. She won 10 races in New Zealand before heading to Australia and jumps in the sulky this Friday night at Tabcorp Park Melton for just her fourth racetrack appearance on our shores.

She will partner Purdon-trained Tupelo Beach, who lines up as an outsider in the Beraldo Coffee Pace (1720m) from gate five.

“I really enjoy driving and I’m happy to drive, but it’s a funny one. I’m probably not the most aggressive driver even though I’ve been in front in all my drives here, but I think it’s one where you’ve either got to be out there all the time or it’s very hard. But I do really love it and if I get drives I’d definitely take them.”

Lewis said Tupelo Beach, a son of Somebeachsomewhere, had presented unwell following his last-start effort at Mildura, but had run some honest races before that at Yarra Valley and Cranbourne.

“We took a blood of him when he got back and he was quite sick, so we’ve been treating him for that and he seems in a really good place now,” she said.

“I’m sure he’ll need a little bit of luck, but he has got gate speed which is a big help for him and we will see what happens.”

Trots Vision will host expansive coverage of Friday night’s meeting, with Dan Mielicki in the caller’s box to bring you all of the action via thetrots.com.au.