Purdon pair settling in well in Queensland

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she's (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column.

By Brittany Graham 

The Kiwis' Queensland Winter raid began positively at Albion Park on Friday afternoon when the Purdon pair of Oscar Bonavena and Rubira stepped out under trial conditions.

Adam Sanderson was charged with looking after the pair after they landed close to a fortnight ago, before Brooke Wilkins arrived recently to cast her eye over the star duo.

Adam also took the reins behind both and will do the driving early in their campaign which will start officially next Saturday evening.

Joining Friday Night Lights shortly thereafter the trial, Sanderson was very complimentary of both.

“They’ve just been awesome and really easy to deal with” he said.

Oscar Bonavena took on a full field of mid-grade pacers and was kept off them early, before showing his trademark turn of foot in a 1.56.2second mile rate.

“He felt tremendous and will start Saturday week. He will obviously improve off that and after a few below standard runs, I am sure his confidence will be improved off that trial”.

Rubira was able to sit off pace in a trial won by leading Queensland four-year-old The Janitor, however, did all that was required after not being sighted since a trackwork incident curtailed his early season campaign in the North Island.

“Rubira felt terrific and those two that beat him home are genuine open class horses”.

“To finish on their backs and feel good doing it was a positive, and he will also start next Saturday which will top him off nicely”.

The Tony Veivers Memorial will be the target in seven days time for Oscar Bonavena, a 2138metre mobile event drawn on national rating which will see him draw poorly but looks a nice pipe opener. 

Rubira on the other hand looks likely to take on his own age group in a programmed three-year-old at the mile.