Caution encouraged around new Purdon Racing prospect at Cambridge
Matt Markham - Raceform • December 23rd, 2025 2:44 PM
Nathan Purdon has a warning for punters looking at the stable change for talented trotter Pantani and expecting immediate results on Christmas Eve at Cambridge.
Most would look at the arrival of a trotter who has always had plenty of ability into the care of one of New Zealand’s most successful stables as an automatic recipe for success, but while he’s happy enough with his new project horse, Purdon is far from confident.
“He’s a nice horse who gives you a decent feel, but he’s also a horse who is low on confidence and has been right down on his best form,” Purdon told RaceForm. “Honestly, if he was to do everything right and find the line well, then I think we would be happy.”
Originally trained by Ross Paynter before he departed overseas, Pantani then shifted into the barn of David Butcher where he showed plenty of promise, but often let himself down at critical times in his races.
He was impressive winning at Auckland back in September, but followed that up with three runs where he failed to keep his gait and that led to the shift in barns after the most recent run in October.
“We were in no rush to get him anywhere. We wanted to get to know him a bit better and allow him to settle in. He's had a couple of runs for us and has been good enough, especially in the last one. But I think we’ll know a lot more about him as a racehorse after this week.”
Pantani will step out in the Cambridge Trotters Christmas Cup over 2700 metres, taking on some handy types like Paramount Kiwi, Mystic Max – trained by Nathan’s brother Michael – and Lord Popinjay.
If he was to do everything right and run up to his best, he’s good enough to win, but Purdon is a little more pragmatic.
“I’d be happy if he did everything right and found the line and ran a nice sixth. As I said, we’ll know a lot more after this week. He’s a nice horse, and he’ll do a good job, but he’s not one that just jumps out at you as an open-class horse of the future, not yet anyway.”
That might not be the case for stable debutant Crippa Max in the two-year-old colts and geldings’ race. He’s unbeaten in public and, as a daughter of Elle Mac, hails from a family Purdon and his father Mark know well.
“He’s a little green still, but has a motor. I think he’ll get better with racing, but he’s good enough to run a big race on debut. We’ll likely head to Auckland on New Year’s Eve with him if everything goes to plan on Christmas Eve.”
The Purdon Racing presence at Cambridge could have been even larger had it not been for impossible handicaps handed down to a couple of stable stars. Oscar Bonavena was nominated in the same race as Pantani, while Akuta was also thrown in the mix for the Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup, but both were withdrawn before fields were formed.
“The task would have just been too tough for them off the handicaps they were set. The way horses can run off the front tapes these days would have meant they were chasing the whole way and they’ve both got big assignments in a week’s time anyway.”
The pair will head to Auckland on New Year’s Eve instead for the Gr.1 Auckland Cup for Akuta and the National Trot for Oscar Bonavena.
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