Racing: Purdon resigned to losing Auckland Reactor to US

Trainer Mark Purdon has all but resigned himself to losing Auckland Reactor even though a decision on the star's future has yet to be finalised.

Auckland Reactor arrived back in Christchurch last night after a career-worst failure in the Miracle Mile in Sydney on Sunday.

While Auckland Reactor finished last in the Interdominions in March he had an excuse on that occasion but on Sunday he simply did not perform anywhere near his best when sixth of eight.

While the sectionals of the race made it hard for those near last to make ground, the telling fact for Auckland Reactor is he lost ground on Karloo Mick, who he had tracked throughout the race, in the home straight.

So after doing no work the only horse he was able to run past was rank outsider Lonestar Legend.

That, coming on the back of his shock defeat in the New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington the previous start, is almost certain to be enough for his North American-based owners to pull the plug on his Australasian career.

Purdon is now expecting Auckland Reactor to be spelled for a month, jog for two weeks and then head to the United States mid-January.

"No decision had been made and obviously I'd love him to stay around but I think he will end up going to the States now," said Purdon.

"Things could change but we are planning to spell him and don't have any racing plans in mind."

Purdon is still at a loss to explain why Auckland Reactor failed to fire on Sunday in the A$500,000 sprint won by Monkey King.

"The only thing I could put it down to is the heat," said Purdon.

"I think he is a horse who doesn't like the heat and he had problems with it in Queensland, too.

"It was pretty hot there on Saturday and that might have put him off a bit."

His string of losses in Australia, even when below his best form, could cost Auckland Reactor dearly in his first two seasons at stud.

Australian breeders are extremely suspect of horses who fail under their conditions and whereas a year ago Auckland Reactor was the most hyped pacer in Australia, the buzz on him in Australia has disappeared.

The problem has nothing to do with Purdon, whose training of the 5-year-old has been near perfect. But the stallion's tendency to pull coupled with bad standing start manners have put him on a form rollercoaster.

In the States, with suitable mile racing and who knows what pumping through his system, it would not surprise to see him do something freakish, especially as their aged pacing ranks have little in the way of returning star power.

As for Purdon, he won't have much time to dwell on the loss of the horse he rates the best he has trained.

He has a huge team campaigning in the north for the next month as racing gets very serious at Alexandra Park.

New Zealand trotting star Springbank Richard could not have fared better in the draw for his return to Australia on Friday night.

The Dominion Hcp winner has drawn barrier one behind the mobile in the A$100,000 Australasian Trotting Grand Prix at Melton in Victoria.

Aiding his cause even more is Australian superstar Skyvalley drawing the second line, while Interdominion champion Sundon's Gift will start from barrier three.

Meanwhile, the good news for New Zealand trotting continues with Stig still rated a chance to race this season.

Trainer Paul Nairn told the Herald last night Stig's latest injury is not a recurrence of the problem which forced him into the paddock last season. "He has a slight leg problem but thankfully it is not as bad as I first thought.

"So while he will miss this month and definitely the Interdominions, I think I could have him back and ready for the Rowe Cup in May."

OVER REACTION?
* Auckland Reactor seems certain to head to the United States next month.
* The great pacer has finished unplaced in three of his four starts this campaign.
* A final decision of his future could be made this week.
* Injured trotting star Stig could be back racing in time for the Rowe Cup in May.