Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 11 August 2026
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon has designs on cross-code success at Christchurch’s New Zealand Cup Week in November, with the revered horseman purchasing another thoroughbred with the carnival in mind.
Purdon and his wife, Katrina, already had a leading prospect in Iron Hawk, who they bought off Inglis Digital last December for A$70,000, and the son of Written Tycoon went on to win two and finish runner-up in two of his four starts in autumn for Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson, including finishing second in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at his home track on ANZAC Day.
Following Iron Hawk’s success, Purdon went back to the same well in May and identified dual Group Three winner North England on Inglis Digital and purchased the then colt for A$45,000, which proved to be a clearance sale price after he was bought off the site three months prior for A$200,000.
A A$280,000 yearling, North England was a precocious two-year-old for former trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, carrying part-owner China Horse Club’s colours to victory in the Gr.3 Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill at just his second start, having placed on debut in the Gr.3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m).
He then went on to run sixth in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) as an autumn two-year-old before winning the Gr.3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) at his next start.
He only had the two starts as a three-year-old, finishing 10th in both the Gr.2 Run To The Rose (1200m) in spring and the A$3 million Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate (1100m) in January, before he was offered for sale a month later.
As with Iron Hawk, North England has joined Lance Robinson’s barn, and while the Riccarton trainer has only had the entire in his stable for a couple of weeks, he is already impressed.
“He arrived a fortnight ago and he has settled in well, he is a lovely horse,” Robinson said. “We don’t know a lot about him, we are getting to know him a wee bit now. He is a cracking looking horse and we have been really happy with him so far. We are very lucky to have him.”
While still in the infancy of his preparation, Robinson has yet to map out a full spring plan, but he said New Zealand Cup Week is the objective.
“He has been out of work for quite some time, and he is only in the early stages of his campaign, so we will take him along quietly for a bit and then assess him as we go along,” Robinson said.
“But he is down here to target the two sprint races at the Cup meeting – the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) and Stewards’ Stakes (Listed, 1200m).”
While Robinson is hoping North England can make his presence felt on the opening and closing days of the carnival, he said Iron Hawk will give the Purdons something to barrack for on the middle day as well when he contests the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m).
“He (Iron Hawk) did a really good job in the autumn and he is now back in work,” Robinson said. “He has had one little run along and he is coming up really well. The long-term goal with him is the TAB Mile.”
Robinson is grateful for the Purdons’ support, and he is hoping he can reward them in November.
“We hope they are in for a big week,” he said. “They will have their team of trotters down and I think they are looking forward to the week. Hopefully we can win a few races.”
Robinson could have a two-pronged attack in the TAB Mile, with his Group Two performer Alottago also targeting the feature mile.
“He is back in work and is coming along really well,” Robinson said. “He may go to Hong Kong yet, but we will see if that eventuates, but if not, he is targeting the TAB Mile as well.”
