Purdon pair primed for opening night at The Creek
Matt Markham - Raceform • July 4th, 2025 11:00 AM • 4 min read
After a week back in New Zealand to spend some time at home and be recognised among his industry peers, Nathan Purdon returned to Queensland, and what awaited him on arrival made the smile on his face even wider.
Fresh off the plane after being awarded the Leadership Excellence Award at Sunday night’s Entain Industry Excellence Awards, Purdon was keen to get on the ground and get out to see stable stars Oscar Bonavena and Rubira ahead of a couple of juicy assignments at Albion Park this week. He immediately loved what he saw.
“Both horses are in great order, we couldn’t be happier with them, I’ve really noticed the difference after being away for a week,” Purdon told RaceForm.
While back home, the younger half of the Purdon Racing partnership left the care of their two charges in the hands of father Mark, and he too jumped on the plane back to New Zealand with plenty of enthusiasm.
“Dad was very happy with both horses too. We had a good talk about the benefit of getting them both over here nice and early and allowing them to not only settle in but adjust to the racing style over here as well, and it’s clearly had a positive impact on them.”
That confidence from the eye is hoped to be translated to the track on Saturday night, when both horses step out at Albion Park. Oscar Bonavena will line up in the first of two heats of the Inter Dominion Trotting Series while Rubira, a week after his Redcliffe Derby victory, steps out in the $300,000 The Rising Sun.
“Rubira has really stepped it up over here, and he’s beginning to furnish into quite the all-round racehorse. Even though he won pretty easily on Saturday night, he had a good blow afterwards, which suggests there’s still a little improvement in him for this week too, which is nice.
“Obviously it’s a step up, taking on some older horses, but he’s right in the zone and full of confidence.”
As a three-year-old taking on a field of largely four-year-olds, Rubira benefited at the barrier draw by picking up the three marble, which should bode well given his high gate speed.
“He gets his chance from there and I’d like to think we’ve peaked him for the right moment.”
Oscar Bonavena finds the right heat to begin his Inter Dom bid, avoiding the series’ other two heavy hitters in Arcee Phoenix and Bet N Win who will compete in the second heat.
He’s had a win and a second from two starts in Queensland, but has formed a great association with former Kiwi driver Adam Sanderson and the pair will start from the second row.
“I don’t think the draw is a bad thing. It gives him an opportunity to relax on a helmet and follow them out, which should suit him, because he can get a bit fired up sometimes on the front line.
“Then we’re dictated to by what unfolds in front of us. If they run along, he’s shown he’s capable of getting over the top of them late.”
Purdon said the change in Oscar Bonavena had been notable since his arrival in Australia, with the oncoming winter coat that he brought with him now gone.
“He’s really shining at the moment and looking fantastic, which is a great sign.”
While the trotters will take plenty of attention on Saturday night, the pacers will also get their time to shine with three heats of the Inter Dominion series including the presence of Australian superstars Leap To Fame and Don Hugo.
