Rubira out of Harness Million

By Michael Guerin

Last Friday's Alabar Classic winner Rubira will miss Friday's $200,000 Harness Million at Alexandra Park.

The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained pacer was involved in a minor track work accident on Wednesday that left him with bruising on his leg.

"We are hoping it isn't too serious and we can get him to a three-year-old race at Cambridge," says Purdon.

Rubira has been dynamic this campaign and his scratching clears the way even more for Marketplace to dominate Friday's Listed event.

Marketplace was already the $1.30 favourite for the Harness Million after flashing home late last Friday and with Rubira now gone and the front line reduced to six he has an even greater chance of rolling to the front and winning the NZBS-sponsored feature.

There has already been strong support for Republican Party in one of Friday's other features, the Auckland Co-Op Taxis City Of Auckland Free-For-All, with the Auckland Cup winner in to $3 with the TAB after opening at $3.90.