The pair combined to win the Disability Macarthur Ladyship Pace by a half head before the shock announcement that Mark Purdon would take over her training in New Zealand.

Harpley and owners Dianne and Bernie Kelly first discussed making the change after Frith finished fifth in the Renshaw Cup at Penrith earlier this month.

“It was a mutual thing,” Bernie Kelly said.

“There was no animosity or anything and Bruce actually suggested it and had already made contact with Mark.

“Bruce works and that makes it hard as there are no races around here for her.”

Harpley drove the mare in each of her seven group one wins and took over the training responsibilities from Kelly in early 2013.

Kelly wants to see if Frith can make the move in open grade under Purdon, who trains outside Christchurch with partner Natalie Rasmussen.

“It’s up to Frith now and whether she is going to be a broodmare or a race mare,” Kelly said.

“She’s going to get the best chance and that was the whole idea.

“I thought Bruce had done a marvellous job with her but now she’s going into the big league and the big league trainers.

“It will be interesting to see if she can go into the big league.”

Frith will temporarily be in the care of Luke McCarthy for the Queen of the Pacific at Melton before travelling over the Tasman.

Purdon showed just why he’s rated Australiasia’s best trainer by claiming both group one races on the card.