Horse racing: All Stars out to extend New Zealand Cup streak

Blair Orange and trainers Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen celebrate winning the NZ Trotting Cup Day at Addington last year. Credit: Image - Photosport; Video - Newshub

Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen's All Stars stable are hoping to make it five on the trot at Tuesday's New Zealand Cup at Addington. 

But winning this year's edition could be their biggest challenge yet, where they'll have to overcome race favourite 'Copy That', who won last month's Ashburton Flying Stakes .

"When you have one stable dominate too much it gets a bit sour grapes or people don't like to see that so much, so we think it's great that there's someone else with a favourite," Rasmussen tells Newshub.

Up until October, Purdon-driven 'Self Assured' had been the hot favourite, but a string of poor manners at the standing start have seen him drift.

"I was disappointed with his cup trial because he had every opportunity to begin good there, so it's really just a 50-50 thing, I think," says Purdon.

But last week's Cup trial was fruitful for stablemate and last year's Cup runner-up 'Spankem'.

"I think this time around he's a stronger horse," says Rasmussen. "I do think he's one that's snuck under the radar just a touch."

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