Racing: Purdon hits 1000 mark

Mark Purdon is the fifth harness horseman to train 1000 winners. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Mark Purdon returned to where it all started for one of his proudest moments in harness racing last night.

Purdon became just the fifth harness horseman to train 1000 winners in this country when Breath Of Life won the second race at Alexandra Park last night.

And while Purdon is based in Canterbury these days, he was thrilled for the milestone to come on the track where he developed his training and driving skills.

"It is nice to get the win back here and to join such an elite club," said Purdon.

The club is almost a family one, with Purdon's father, Roy, and brother Barry both having trained over 2000 winners while Ces Donald and Derek Jones are the only other trainers with 1000 New Zealand victories.

Later in the night Changeover's crazy sequence of controversies continued when he was a late scratching from the $25,000 Spring Cup.

The New Zealand Cup winner took skin off his hindquarters in the float trip to the track and after a veterinary examination was withdrawn.

His connections did not expect the injury to adversely affect his New Zealand Cup defence.