New Zealand harness racing legend Barry Purdon had a weekend to remember with a dual-code winning double.
On Friday, Purdon made a winning return to the sulky following a six-year hiatus, piloting Group 1-performed trotter Higher Power to victory at Alexandra Park, and on Sunday his famous silks were to the fore once again, but this time in the thoroughbred code.
His exciting three-year-old Yamato Satona, a colt by Rich Hill Stud shuttler Satono Aladdin, scored on debut in the opening race at Arawa Park for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Purdon was trackside in Rotorua with his wife Katrina, who shares in Yamato Satona’s ownership along with good friend and stable client Dean Shannon.
“It was a great thrill,” Barry Purdon said. “We went down there and we weren’t expecting to see what we saw, but it was great.
“Lance and Andrew have always liked him, so that is always a good sign.”
The 70-year-old horseman was also pleased to return to the driving ranks on Friday night, and he is looking forward to frequenting the track more often this season.
“It was great, I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I had a pretty nice horse to drive and it was good to get out there again.
“I have been driving quite a bit of track work lately since I had that bit of bad luck with my hip, and I feel good again.”