The All Stars operation has an obsession with recognizing the moment and dominating it.
And there’s no bigger moment than the country’s most prized event, the Gr.1 $750,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup at Addington, the 3200m stand start feature is the biggest race on the New Zealand calendar.
It’s also a leg of the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit.
But for Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, the dynamic duo of the All Stars operation, it’s the pinnacle and the race they want to win above all others each year.
Aside from the rich prizemoney, it carries a certain prestige.
Since forming the partnership back in 2013, their record in the Cup is astonishing with four victories in the past five years.
Ironically, the horse that thwarted their winning run was an ex-member of their team in Arden Rooney (2015) who transferred to the Victorian stables of Kerryn Manning when he prevailed over the luckless All Stars runner Smolda.
All winning streaks end, and the longer one goes on, the more likely it is to end.
But for the All Stars to ride the wave of glory, they must peak on the second Tuesday of November every year.
That’s not just any wave, that’s an epic one.
Recent history proves they have this process down to a fine art.
And for the 2019 edition, naturally, the All Stars are the team to beat with a quartet of high powered equine athletes headlined by recently crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year Spankem.
The reigning Miracle Mile champion has returned in sparkling form this current preparation, typically stamped by the meticulous and smooth planning of the All Stars.
Defending New Zealand Cup champion Thefixer, looms as the biggest threat to Spankem, the rugged stayer looks primed to become another dual winner.
Understandably, the All Stars prepared Lazarus was the most recent back to back winner of the New Zealand Cup (2016/17).
Also representing the All Stars is the Australian owned Cruz Bromac, an unlucky fourth in this same event twelve months ago plus the multiple feature race winner Chase Auckland.
Win, lose or draw – Chase Auckland will have the biggest cheer squad of any runner in the Cup on Tuesday, he is raced by the Alabar Racing Syndicate.
Australian interest is high with talented Victorian stayer San Carlo representing Stephen O’Donoghue and Bec Bartley while Bathurst pacer Our Uncle Sam is also lining up for popular horseman Chris Frisby.
Our Uncle Sam will be handled by former World Driving champion Mark Jones.
Australian trained winners of the Cup include Steel Jaw, My Lightning Blue and Arden Rooney.
Paul Court, a winner of the Cup three times previously owing to the deeds of champion stayer Terror To Love will be represented by Hail Christian, the talented entire will be handled by leading Sydney reinsman Blake Fitzpatrick.
Master trainer Robert Dunn will send out Henry Hubert and Classie Brigade, both pacers are racing in consistent form and both will have admirers.
Dunn prepared 2005 winner Mainland Banner.
Local performers Nandolo, Smokin By and A G’s White Socks are all chasing their biggest victories while the sole North Island representative is Mach Shard for legendary horseman Barry Purdon.
The most recent North Island trained winner of the Cup was Changeover (Geoff Small) back in 2008.
Super sire Bettors Delight is chasing his sixth straight Cup winner after scoring with Thefixer, Lazarus (x 2), Arden Rooney and Adore Me.
The record breaking stallion will be represented by Henry Hubert, Spankem, Thefixer and Classie Brigade.
Interestingly, this is the smallest Cup field since 1999 (Homin Hosed – 12 runners, 11 starters) with 13 runners listed to compete.
