Dragon’s Pride edges closer to first northern start

Press, 27 April 1983, Page 38

Dragon’s Pride edges closer to first northern start

Special correspondent Auckland Dragon’s Pride, the $lOO,OOO trotter which was the subject of a legal wrangle before he changed hands towards the end of last year, looks like having, at last, his first start for the Aucklander, Mr Max Harvey. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” his parttrainer Roy Purdon, said yesterday, “but so far it does appear it will be a case of third time lucky.” Purdon is the gelding’s co-trainer with a son, Barry. Dragon’s Pride, formerly owned and trained in Ashburton, was to have had his first start in the north at

the Auckland Trotting Cup meeting in February. However, he was unable to race becaue of back trouble. “Treatment fixed that,” said Roy Purdon, “but then when he was being prepared for the Inter-Dominion championships a quartercrack in the near forefoot became infected. “He had rather a bad time of it before the trouble cleared up.” Since then, everything has gone right for Dragon’s Pride. “He is as sound as a bell” Purdon said, “and, unless there is more bad luck he will race at the Rowe Cup

meeting.” It is planned to give Dragon’s Pride a run at trials in about a fortnight as a warm-up for the Rowe Cup meeting, which opens at Alexandra Park on May 14. Comedy Lad, another high-priced Harvey purchase in the Purdon stable, will also make his northern debut at the Rowe Cup meeting. Formerly owned and trained in Invercargill, Comedy Lad has won four of his five races. He is likely to have a run at trials beforehand, preferably behind the mobile barrier. Roy Purdon said the geld-

ing had never started from behind the “gate” and he would like him to have some practice. Armalight would be turned out when she returns home to Christchurch, her owner-trainer, Brent Smith, said at Alexandra Park yesterday. “There are no suitable races for her during the rest of the season so it is pointless keeping her in work.” Armalight finished third on her latest visit to Auckland, in the North Island Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park last Friday. She will leave by float today for Christchurch.