Self Assured steps at trials

Mark Purdon is a relieved man after his star pairing of Self Assured and Spankem got through their trial at Rangiora today.

The pair finished 1-2 in a field that also included Thefixer and Stylish Memphis.  But more importantly for Purdon was that Self Assured got a clean getaway after messing up the start in his recent races.

His standing start issues have become a big talking point especially with the New Zealand Cup only six weeks away.

Both Spankem and Self Assured were also scratched from last Sunday’s Hannon Memorial because of minor hoof issues.

Purdon knows race day and especially New Zealand Cup day is a far cry from a midweek trial in North Canterbury but he’s encouraged by the progress and says it’s onwards and upwards for both horses.