Trainer celebrates 200-1 winner a week after suffering cardiac arrest

A week after suffering a cardiac arrest, joint-trainer Bruce Purcell was celebrating as Elfi ran out a 200-1 winner at Cranbourne.

Purcell, who runs a training operation in Cranbourne with his wife Jean, suffered a heart attack and had to be revived by his step-daughter Emma Astbury on Thursday.

Astbury was in attendance to see the four-year-old record an emotional win for the family.

She said: "Bruce, my stepfather, actually had a cardiac arrest and had seizures last week.

"I was lucky enough to get a phone call from Mum and I was able to revive him. He's at home on the couch with his blanket and will be watching."

The Fiorente filly had finished last in her first two starts and traded at as high as $617 on the betting exchange.

Stepping up to a mile for the first time, stable apprentice Lewis German sounded as surprised as most punters when the mare ran past rivals from the second half of the field to scoop victory.

He said: "I didn’t really expect her to win the race, I just thought I’d be happy if she is competitive and we can go to 2,000 metres [a mile and a quarter] next race.

"I am really happy for the Purcell family and that one's for Bruce."

In 2019 the veteran trainer suffered serious head injuries and was placed in an induced coma after being kicked by a horse.

The Purcells have seven horses listed in training, with Unconquered Sun their most recent winner last December.

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