KEY POINTS:
Champion horseman Mark Purdon is nearing the end of his solo training career.
Purdon will take long-time stable foreman Grant Payne into partnership next season at a time when the future could hardly look brighter for the Christchurch-based team.
Just two years ago Purdon faced the lowest point of his life in racing, capped by the uncertainty of four months on the sidelines following the Blue Magic drug scandals.
That came not long after the death of his close friend and leading stable client John Seaton, with both events testing Purdon's dedication to the industry which he once dominated.
But now he finds himself back in the familiar position of having the most feared team of young horses in the country and monopolising the major juvenile races this season.
He says that is the ideal time to put Payne's name on the stationery.
"This is partly as a reward for what Grant has done and partly because how I see next season developing," said Purdon.
"Grant has always been fantastic and did a great job when I was disqualified.
"And with the strength of the stable at the moment I can see myself needing to travel to Australia and Auckland with horses a lot next season.
"I want to be able to do that knowing Grant is there as a fulltime trainer taking care of the business as well.
"So I think it is only going to make us stronger."
Purdon is looking forward to attacking the open class features with Classic Cullen, who made the leap from promising newcomer to group one player at Auckland Cup time.
"He looks great and I couldn't be happier with him. He has stood up when he needed to and I am sure he will do that again next season."
While Ohoka Arziona, Fiery Falcon and Steve McQueen will give the new partnership a huge hand in next season's classics, Purdon says he still has some unfinished business this term.
His last big aim for the season is an Australian campaign with Petite Sunrise, who competes in a non-tote Australasian Breeders Crown heat at Addington tonight.
While she won her section of the Harness Jewels this month Purdon always thought she was a professional with talent more than a standout star.
That opinion is changing.
"I took her to the Rangiora trials last Saturday and she was super," said Purdon.
"She beat the older horses and did it like a good horse. I think she has got better since the Harness Jewels and she will be hard to beat in Australia."
Petite Sunrise will be aimed at the Redwood in Victoria next month before the Breeders Crown.
While punters can't get any money off her at Addington tonight Purdon has several other winning chances.
His best-backed runner is likely to be Port Courage in the last leg of Pick6 and while he says the filly will win plenty more races she has been a bit below her best this week.
"She is a lovely filly but she hasn't eaten quite as well as I'd like so I am not saying she is a good thing this week," said Purdon.
He rates the chances of Lily Rush (race four), even though she meets the in-form Rupeni.
"She needed her run last week and will be a better horse this time."
Purdon says Ohoka Georgia may not start in race three as he could be sold but he still has an each-way chance in that race with Mighty Pocketlands.
Mark Purdon
Started training: 1995.
Training wins: 791 (124 with trotters).
Training stake earnings: $13.5 million.
UDR strike rate: .3478.
This season: 42 wins for $1.3 million in stakes.
Season highlights: Won 2-y-o Sales Series Pace, Sires' Stakes Final, Welcome Stakes, Harness Jewels 2-y-o male Pace; 2-y-o Harness Jewels Trot; City Of Auckland Free-For-All.
