Nathan Purdon will soon leave Victoria and return to native New Zealand, but the gun young trainer is looking to scoop up more feature race riches before he departs back across the Tasman.
The 26-year-old has spent the best part of two seasons here in our state, but is set to return home and begin a partnership with legendary father Mark and Hayden Cullen.
Purdon is eyeing Victoria Oaks glory with star filly Amore Vita and is hopeful of Breeders Crown success with her and a couple of young stablemates before packing his bags and flying out with partner Mikayla Lewis in late November.
His stint based in Victoria has included five Group 1 wins, with Amazing Dream (Rising Sun, Blacks A Fake and Queen of the Pacific), Spellbound (Ladyship Cup) and Amore Vita (Vicbred 2YO Fillies Final) all claiming races at the elite level.
Purdon joined Tim O’Connor as a special guest during Tuesday’s episode of From The Horse’s Mouth and discussed the decision to move home and his highlights during time spent in Australia.
“Dad rang up one day and asked if we’d come back and be part of the team – that was probably the thing that made everything happen a bit quicker,” he said.
“We’ve been very blessed with the opportunity we’ve been given, that’s for sure.
“The headlines like Amazing Dream, Amore Vita, Spellbound and we had American Dealer for a while. He was a great horse, too. We’ve been very lucky and never thought we’d get the results we did obviously being so early on.
“I’m very thrilled.”
Purdon, who has trained 45 winners in Australia from just 185 starters, has Amore Vita engaged as his sole runner on Saturday night’s Melton card.
She has drawn barrier five for the second of the Pryde’s Easifeed Victoria Oaks heats, where she will be driven by Chris Alford.
The filly finished fourth in her first-up run at Tabcorp Park on September 17 and is rated a $5.50 equal second favourite to win the Oaks Final on October 8.
