Mark Purdon gets the 'first laugh' with Chariots barrier draw

29 February 2024 | HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL COURT
Logo
Mark Purdon after winning with Dont Stop Dreaming at Menangle last Saturday night.

Mark Purdon after winning with Dont Stop Dreaming at Menangle last Saturday night. Photo by Club Menangle

IT’S shaping as one of the most competitive fields of four-year-olds ever gathered at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

Yet champion New Zealand horseman Mark Purdon had the ‘first laugh’ when his boom four-year-old Dont Stop Dreaming drew the coveted two barrier when the final field was drawn on Monday.

It should be an enthralling start to the $250,000 Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots Of Fire when the starter says go.

While Purdon will be desperate to hold the lead and play from the front, drawn right alongside him is Saturday night’s impressive 1:49.8 winner Better Be The Best.

With the grandson of the late, great A. D. Turnbull in the sulky, Nathan Turnbull will no doubt be hoping to cross Purdon at the start and give the Kiwi star something to chase.

“My horse is in a good place and a run like last Saturday night will top him off perfectly for next week,” said Purdon.

“He got away with a couple of nice sectionals but I thought he handled the last half particularly well.

“He had a little bit there at the finish but this horse has that high speed and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’s just a great little horse although there’s not much between he and Its Merlin at home, the barrier draw was always going to be crucial.”

Its Merlin, trained by Mark Purdon’s elder brother Barry has drawn out in gate seven, which suggests his reinsman Zac Butcher will be forced to drive for luck if he hopes to be in the finish.

“The draw was all that separated them at home and this is a great field,” said Mark.

“The advantage in the draw certainly makes a difference.

“Its Merlin is versatile and sprinted fast from the one-one last week.”

Purdon said his horse had also stepped up a lot.

“We haven’t exposed him to the Aussies as much as we have probably done with our good ones in the past,” he said.

“But a trip like this has probably been the making of him.

“I’m certain he’ll be thereabouts and that draw certainly helps a lot.”

 

Related News

21 October 2025
The Screaming Jets to Headline Carnival of Cups in Newcastle
The secret can finally be revealed! Hometown heroes The Screaming Jets will return to the Steel City to headline the TAB Carnival of Cups trackside entertainment at the Newcastle Harness Racing Club on 5 December. It will mark a return to the Carnival of Cups stage for the Jets, who had racegoers bouncing...
20 October 2025
'Fresh set of eyes' – Racing Queensland executive Goodbody to lead HRA
Queensland administrator Richard Goodbody will leave his role at Racing Queensland after seven years, having been named as the replacement for Andrew Kelly as chief executive of Harness Racing Australia. Administrator Richard Goodbody will bring major sporting event experience as well as in-depth tricode...
20 October 2025
Dashman's harness examination - October 20
Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton. MARBURG DAY A SUCCESS Queensland’s first meeting held exclusively for the trotting gait has been hailed a success with competitive racing and a strong crowd on hand. It was the Mark Dux-trained and...
20 October 2025
Suvaljko's birthday gift
Outstanding young driver Emily turned 25 on Thursday and she celebrated the occasion in fine style with a perfect exhibition in the sulky to land Penny Black a stylish winner in the $50,000 group 3 Schrader Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night Penny Black, the $3.50 second fancy from the awkward draw...
20 October 2025
Williams survives a hectic affair
Henley Brook trainer-reinsman Robbie Williams sighed with relief after guiding $1.80 favourite Opal Hunter to victory in the Happy 60TH Birthday Heather Sue Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night. “We were lucky,” he said. “We avoided two or three collisions, and most of the drivers...
Click for more