By MICHAEL GUERIN
Like any father proud Roy Purdon is not thrilled to see his son moving away.
"But this is Mark's decision and we have to respect that even though it will be a shame to see him go," said the training legend and head of harness racing's most famous family.
"That is part of bringing up children, you let them make their own decisions and Mark wants this so we will all support him."
But Purdon does not expect his son to be gifted horses from other trainers.
"Training is very competitive in Canterbury and the owners there are very loyal."
Purdon says the move doesn't mean he will be back as a fulltime trainer at the age of 73.
"I have never really been away from the stables because I love it too much. I will still be there mucking out the boxes for Tony (Herlihy) and Gareth (Dixon) and I will always be available if they need to ask my advice."
Auckland Trotting Club president Brian Meale has thrown his support behind Purdon, saying the two-stable operation should benefit both Alexandra Park and Addington.
"It is the sort of bold, imaginative move you would expect from Mark.
"With the quality of people he will have running stable in Auckland our racing should not lose out while we also expect to get the best horses from his southern stable coming up for our good meetings.
"I think it will be a good move for New Zealand harness racing."
Racing: Roy sad to see Mark moving on
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