Racing: Reactor may farewell NZ this year

The New Zealand future of champion pacer Auckland Reactor is in doubt.

The Herald can reveal the $4 million pacer's career in this part of the world could be over by November and he may be exported to the United States in December.

And that would mean Auckland Reactor would leave trainer Mark Purdon and join a North American stable for the remainder of his racing career.

Owners' representative John Curtin, the man who brokered the record deal that saw a North American syndicate purchase the champion last year, confirmed last night that Auckland Reactor is likely to be gone from these shores by Christmas.

And Curtin says part of the reason is the reluctance of his owners to campaign Auckland Reactor extensively in Australia after the way they feel the horse and Purdon were treated there in March.

Auckland Reactor was beaten twice and Purdon suspended for a bad drive during the Interdominions on the Gold Coast, leaving a bad taste in his new owners' mouths.

And that lingering anger could even jeopardise a tilt at the Miracle Mile in Sydney on November 29.

"At this stage the Miracle Mile is on the cards but I think the owners aren't too fussed even on that," said Curtin.

"We had a long conversation yesterday and the majority of them are keen to get him up to the States in December, give him a long time to acclimatise and then set him for the big free-for-all racing which starts about June.

"So unless something changes between now and then, I think he will be gone by December."

Auckland Reactor is likely to resume racing in October, with the New Zealand Cup on November 10 his main aim, although the standing start conditions of the great race do not thrill his owners.

"After that he could race in the free-for-all [November 13] and that might be it for down here," said Curtin.

The original plan had been for Purdon to campaign Auckland Reactor on the Australasian grand circuit until the Interdominions in Sydney in March then travel with him to the States for a series of races there.

But as New Zealand's leading trainer, it is unrealistic to expect Purdon to leave his stable here for six months to campaign Auckland Reactor in North America.

While the enthusiasm of the owners is understandable, an early departure for Auckland Reactor may not be the best decision financially.

He can race for over $3 million in stakes between November and March in this part of the world and then still head to North America in plenty of time for their richest races.

And after his Interdominion defeat last season, some questions remain over the champ's mental strength - questions that would be answered by a dominant Grand Circuit campaign.

A New Zealand Cup, Miracle Mile or Interdominion win would boost his commercial stud value in this part of the world, whereas he will need to do something freakish in North America to jump to the top of the list of prospective stallions.

"I think the New Zealand Cup will be crucial," admits Curtin.

"If he wins that and then something like the Miracle Mile the owners might be happy to leave him here for longer.

"But at this stage he is likely to be gone before the New Year."

BOUND FOR US
* Champion pacer Auckland Reactor could be sent to the United States before the end of the year.
* His owners are reluctant to race him extensively in Australia after his problems at this year's Interdominions.
* Auckland Reactor's New Zealand career could be over by November.
* That could mean the stallion leaves leading trainer Mark Purdon's care.