N.I. horses due on Monday

Press, 9 November 1984, Page 35

N.I. horses due on Monday

Special correspondent Auckland The four North Island horses in the $lOO,OOO final of the Sires Stakes Series, for three-year-olds, at Addington on Tuesday night will be flown to Christchurch on Monday. And all, according to their trainers, are in fine trim for the race, which is sponsored by Fay Richwhite Co. Ltd, the Auckland merchant banker. It is a real Purdon occasion. Billbob and Bardon Bridge are trained by Roy Purdon and his son, Barry, Placid Victor and Frederick are in the stable of Sandy Purdon, a younger brother of Roy. Placid Victor and Frederick have not raced since they filled the first two placings in the second North Island semi-final at Alexandra Park on October 16.

Sandy Purdon said yesterday that he had planned to give Placid Victor a run at

the Pukekohe trials on Wednesday but he finally decided against it. Instead, he gave both horses a brisk workout over 2400 m on Wednesday morning. “The final is a mile,” he said “both go well fresh and I want to keep them that way.”

Maurice McKendry has been confirmed as the driver of Placid Victor. A final decision has not been made about who will drive Frederick, but it will probably be the Christchurch horseman, Peter Jones. Peter Wolfenden, the regular driver of both Billbob and Frederick, will drive Billbob. Bardon Bridge will be driven by Barry Purdon. Bardon Bridge and Billbob competed at the Pukekohe trials, Billbob winning stylishly from his stablemate. Although much will depend on the barrier draw, hopes of a nothern win must be high.