Trainer Cody Cole was on the board early in the piece at Tauranga on Saturday with promising three-year-old Purple Strike justifying some heavy support from punters when opening his winning account in race two, the Tauranga Crossing Maiden (1400m).
The showy son of Anders had caught the eye when finishing runner-up on debut over 1200m at the venue earlier in the month and shaped as a horse that would definitely appreciate more ground as he continued his spring campaign.
In the hands of leading rider Michael McNab, Purple Strike was beautifully positioned in third throughout as Tailoress set up a good speed out in front.
McNab eased him into clear air rounding the home bend and once balanced up the horse lengthened stride impressively as he gunned down a brave Tailoress in the shadows of the winning post to reward his many supporters who installed him as the $2.15 Fixed Odds favourite for the contest.
“I know the horse and he has lots of ability, but you have to squeeze it out of him,” Cole stable representative Troy Harris said.
“It’s good to see him doing his best late like that as he will get up to a mile easily and probably with blinkers on as well.
“Everyone at the stable loves him as he is a real gentleman and not many horses come along with an attitude like that.
“I think he is going to carry on improving.”
McNab was also pleased with the effort from his mount.
“He is a nice horse, still very new and green but he has good ability,” he said.
“He is very relaxed but doesn’t really know what he is doing just yet.”
Raced by his breeders Tony Ryder and PJ Weal, Purple Strike is out of the Written Tycoon mare Written In Violet and traces back to a number of well-performed Australian gallopers including multiple stakes winner Free Wheeling and Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) runner-up Hydrometer. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
