New Zealand-based harness racing legend Mark Purdon has taken a significant step back from the sport in recent times, but remains connected through the odd drive here and there.
Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen ended their training partnership at the end of last year, with the powerful All Stars stable now run by former foreman Hayden Cullen, who has a big hand in this Sunday’s IRT Harness Jewels meeting at Cambridge Raceway.
Purdon has four drives for Cullen and took the time to speak with Toby McKinnon during Wednesday’s edition of Trots Life on SEN Track.
He revealed some of Cullen’s youngsters were likely bound for the Breeders Crown series in Victoria later in the year, and would potentially be stabled with son Nathan Purdon at his new Avalon base.
“After the Jewels all these horses will have a break and I think probably an assessment will be made of how long they can afford to have off in preparation for the Breeders Crown in November,” he said.
“They’d maybe be stabled (with Nathan), it would just depend on numbers he has at the time. They’ll certainly be under Hayden’s training name.”
The IRT Harness Jewels meeting features nine Group 1 races and kicks off at 10.17am AEST on Sunday.
LISTEN TO THE WHOLE INTERVIEW WITH MARK PURDON BELOW:
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