"Kurtus" set to give new training combo first win at Addington tonight

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Michael Purdon and Alison Ward are hopeful Itz Kurtus Maximus will give them their first win as a training partnership at Addington's mid-week meeting tonight.

The Always B Miki four-year-old will start the hottest favourite on the eight-race programme, that starts at 5.08pm.

He's currently at $1.65 despite drawing wide in a small field in the US Captain Standing At Wai Eyre Mobile Pace (5.47pm).

He's yet to place in three career starts but Purdon says his performance at Addington on August 28 showed what he's capable of.

"He's been racing on Friday nights and two starts ago he got held up around the final bend and came home well, and if it hadn't been unlucky he would have been thereabouts," says Purdon.

Itz Kurtis Maximus finished fourth behind Sidestepper that night and it was a black-booker that the punters clearly haven't missed.

He then finished eighth in his next start at Addington on September 4. 

"He's a funny horse. He's big and green," says Purdon, "and last start he was too keen and over-raced."

Purdon is helping a gear change may be just what he needs. 

"We've taken the blinds off tonight .. and his work has been great."

The country's leading driver Blair Orange takes the reins tonight with the Robbie Holmes-trained and driven Captain Kiwi the next in the market at $4.50.

Purdon and Ward have both trained winners individually. Purdon has 19, with Mystic Max his best performer, while Ward has had three with Tornado Banner.

But since they joined forces in August they have yet to register a win in partnership though they have been close with two-year-old trotting filly La Venture. She has two recent placings behind the impressive Eyes Wide Open.

Now it's up to Itz Kurtus Maximus to open their account. 

To see the field click here