Akuta
NEW Zealand's best pacer, Akuta, won't tackle Saturday week's $100,000 Ballarat Cup.
But champion trainer Mark Purdon confirmed he and his son, Nathan, were still focused on chasing Victorian riches with pacing stars Akuta and exciting young stablemate Don't Stop Dreaming.
They had planned to send the pair across this week for the Shepparton Cup meeting but moved it back a week to focus on Ballarat Cup night.
Now, the glamour pacing pair won't arrive in Victoria until after Ballarat.
"Don't Stop Dreaming just didn't pull up as well as hoped from the last start and needs a bit more time," Mark Purdon said.
"We're on top of it, and he's had it before. It's some jarring in his feet."
"Brooke (Wilkins) is looking after him in Auckland, and by all reports, he's getting better by the day."
"But we can't take him across until we're totally happy with him, or things could really go wrong."
"So, we'll push it back another week and get him across a few days before the Casey Classic meeting (January 27) at Melton."
That means stable star Akuta's trip will also be delayed to align with Don't Stop Dreaming's travel.
"Yes, they'll travel together, so Akuta will miss the Ballarat Cup now," Purdon said.
"He can run in the Casey Classic and go into the Hunter Cup the week after."
"Depending on how Don't Stop Dreaming is assessed, he could run in the Casey Classic as well, or there's a ratings race he might be eligible for."
"Either way, both will now run at Melton on the 27th (of January) and again the week after."
Akuta will head to the $450,000 Hunter Cup, while Don't Stop Dreaming's aim is the $100,000 4YO Bonanza on the same night.
