Superstar Self Assured returns

By Jonny Turner

While Aussie harness racing fans have been pontificating over whether Ride High or Lochinvar Art is Australasia’s next superstar pacer, the real MVP has been quietly getting ready to take the mantle.

The All Stars excitement machine Self Assured will step out at Addington on Friday for the first time since Lochinvar Art twice turned the table on their previous meetings in Australia over summer.

After returning to home base to rest and recharge, the 4yr-old sensation will re-emerge bigger, stronger and ready to make his mark when he steps out alongside his stablemates Princess Tiffany and Another Masterpiece at Addington on Friday night.

“He had a good break and he did well,” Mark Purdon said. 

“He has filled a bit more and has come back is a little bit stronger.”

Self Assured will return in Friday night’s 2600m standing start with two trials and workouts under his belt.

He was not pressured in either of them, running fourth behind race rival Classie Brigade in the first and third behind Ashley Locaz in the second.

“His first one he needed the run, so he was back a little bit,” Purdon said. 

“In his second one he bridged the gap a little bit, so I think he would be pretty ready for Friday night.”

“He is carrying a little more condition this time around, but I think he is pretty forward and the small field will help as well.”

Star mare Princess Tiffany also returns from a break after her Sydney summer campaign on Friday night.

Purdon warned there is little between her fitness levels and those of Self Assured.

“Princess Tiffany is really well, where as Another Masterpiece might just need the run being a stallion.”

“I’d put Self Assured and Princess Tiffany pretty level.”

Princess Tiffany looked on song to continue her charge towards becoming a million dollar mare with an effortless trial win at Ashburton in slick time, last week.

The All Stars trio of Self Assured, Princess Tiffany and Another Masterpiece will clash with three of Robert Dunn’s team in Henry Hubert, Heisenberg and Classie Brigade.

The All Stars stable will be busy, even by their standards when stepping out seven 2yr-olds in race 4 on Friday night.

Purdon has rated Aladdin and Pace N Pride as the most forward of the group.

“Him and Pace N Pride would be the top two, anyway – they would probably be about equal.”

“Aladdin seems a pretty nice horse and with the Covid break he has been a benefactor there.”

“He missed those 2yr-old races and he has come back a bit stronger and he has probably got a serious chance when the Sires Stakes heats start.”

“Pace N Pride also seems like quite a nice horse, too.”

Enhance Your Calm went for a spell after he could not get his manners together at the end of his latest campaign.

The 4yr-old has shown he is ready to put his best foot forward in what is set to be a mouth-watering clash with star 3yr-old Cracker Hill in race 10.

“He has been trotting very, very good at home and I would be pretty disappointed if he didn’t do things right,” Purdon said.

“He trained good on Tuesday morning at Addington and he trialled good at Ashburton last week.”

The All Stars will also step out American Pride in race 3 and gun 2yr-old It’s All About Faith in race 11 on Friday night.

“It’s All About Faith trained really good on Tuesday morning at Addington.”

“We had had a few problems with him over-racing, but he was really lovely.”

“I think having a look at the track will be a big help for him ahead of Friday night.”