The return of Akuta after last racing in December 2023 will be of huge interest at Alexandra Park tonight.
The millionaire pacer has had a long road back from a tendon injury ahead of his appearance in the World’s Best Hoof Oil – Here For The Horse Mobile Pace (7.51pm).
Trackside presenter Brittany Graham and racing journalist Michael Guerin share their thoughts on the return of the former superstar, who’s a $1.35 favourite to resume on a winning note.
A perfect kick off point for Akuta
By Brittany Graham
New Zealand’s fightback against another Aussie invasion during New Zealand Cup Week is about to get a serious uplift with the return of glamour pacer Akuta.
Not seen since running third in the Franklin Cup of 2023, a significant tendon issue for the now six-year-old keep him off the scene with some concern over him ever being seen on the racetrack again.
Meticulously handled by Mark and Nathan Purdon, alongside their support team, it has been a long road with no corners cut to ensure he was given an ample opportunity for a return. Stepping out publicly in May, the millionaire pacer was then given another brief let up to give him every chance at a genuine Spring preparation and a third New Zealand Cup tilt.
He looks thrown into a R55 to R115 mobile event over 1700metres at Alexandra Park on Friday night, although, he will have a new driver with Brooke Wilkins junior driving concession required for race eligibility.
And while being first up off such a long injury enforced layoff is always a word of warning for punters, co-trainer Nathan Purdon is thrilled with the star’s progress.
“Akuta seems really good for his comeback race this week” he said.
“He is probably at 85% (fitness) going into this week, but he has found the perfect race.”
He is also likely to stick around in the North for longer than first thought with another suitable contest programmed.
“At this point, he will have one more start after this weekend before heading South.”
Albeit far from the biggest race in his calendar, it would be an exceptionally rewarding achievement should the Purdon’s attain fairytale success after all that has gone into his return. It would also be ‘just rewards’ for Tony Shaw who has played a significant role in his rehabilitation and now has an ownership share.
Purdons happy with the champ’s prep ahead of return
By Michael Guerin
Trainer Mark Purdon and most punters want the same thing from Akuta’s comeback at Alexandra Park tonight.
They probably just want it delivered in different ways.
The one-time superstar of New Zealand racing returns tonight after 20 months away from the racetrack, his career all but ended by a split tendon in his leg.
If it wasn’t for a very detailed rehabilitation plan put in place by veterinarian Barbara Hunter, who is now also Purdon’s fiancee, the champion trainer says Akuta wouldn’t be back at the track tonight.
“When it happened he was given a 10 per cent chance of racing again,” says Purdon.
“But Barb put a really detailed plan in place and part of that was once it was healing to keep it that region stretched and active.
“So he spent time being ridden and then he has been wonderfully looked after by Tony Shaw, who now has a share in the horse as our way of saying thank you for all the work he has done with him.”
So can punter’s back the former Auckland Cup winner with confidence tonight?
“Well, he seems very sound and has handled everything well so far,” explains Purdon.
“He is working like a good horse should and on class you would think he could have their measure.”
But Purdon has been doing this for long enough to know the easiest way to undo a campaign is to start it by giving a horse a headache which brings us to tonight’s tactics from the outside of the front line over 1700m with junior driver Brooke Wilkins, her junior concession allowing Akuta to start in the race.
Punters who take the short odds would love to see Akuta race forward, wrest the lead and blow his rivals away as a former Taylor Mile winner should in a mid-grade sprint.
After all, punters taking short odds love an easy watch.
“The problem with going forward is if he doesn’t work out it is hard to have a Plan B,” says Purdon.
“I’d hate to see him have a hard run and be finishing on his hands and knees in his first race in so long.
“It will be up to Brooke to drive him how he feels and how the race looks, but if he has any luck he should probably win anyway.”
That is true but even tonight’s rivals who are rated 20-40 points below Akuta are capable of pacing a 1:53 mile rate or quicker for 1700m, whether Akuta is actually a sensible bet will come down to final price with the opening TAB quote of $1.35 too short to be value.
Purdon and his son Nathan are in the perfect position to rate the opposition as they also train Treacherous Baby, who looks one of Akuta’s main rivals.
“As good a mare as she is, it would hard to see her beating him,” says Purdon.
The stable also has two reps in Race 2 tonight with little between River (No.1) and debutante Georgie Best (No.6).
“There wouldn’t be much between them but they were supposed to go in a two-year-old race that didn’t get off the ground so they have to take on the older horses.
“River will be hard to beat and with her draw might be slightly the better chance but I would prefer to see her driven with cover, being a two-year-old filly against the older horses.
“But if the colt [Georgie Best] can get in front of her and even around to the lead he would be really hard to beat.”
