Tears flow as Group One win honours legendary Grandfather

TEARS flowed for Nathan Purdon after his speedy mare Spellbound finally broke through for Group One win during a sad period for the family.

Purdon’s grandfather, legendary Kiwi horseman Roy, died earlier this week and he was front of mind after the five-year-old blitzed her rivals in the Alabar Bloodstock Ladyship Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton.

Driver Stuart McDonald led throughout with Spellbound, which strode away from her rivals in the straight to win by more than 11 metres.

The victory was the first elite level success for the daughter of Art Major, which was the first winner Purdon trained following his move from New Zealand to Victoria last year.

“This mare’s been special to me and she was the first winner we had when we got over here,” Purdon said.

“And to have granddad looking down on us tonight was very special.

“He was the best. He was a legendary trainer, but he was a better grandad to me, a great mentor and just a champion person.”

Spellbound took her record to 14 wins from 45 starts with the triumph securing her a berth in the $200,000 Ladyship Mile at Club Menangle on February 26.

A short time later, Purdon’s emerging filly Amore Vita gave every indication she might be something special with a gutsy display in the Garrard’s Horse and Hound Gold Chalice.

First-up since winning a Vicbred Super Series Final on New Year’s Eve, the daughter of Art Major worked overtime in the ‘death seat’ before scoring by two-and-a-half metres.

• HRV Media