NZ HARNESS NEWS
The curtain came down on Dream About Me’s glittering race career in the best possible fashion at Menangle on Saturday night.
The blue blood mare went out on a winning note with a dominant front-running performance in the A$200,000 Ladyship Mile.
It was her 11th Group 1 win for trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, and took her career earnings to what will be, when the dust settles after conversions, around NZ$1.4 Million.
For her co-owners, Paul and Mary Kenny, who raced her with Mary’s 95-year-old father, Charles, it was the perfect opportunity to call time on her career.
“Mary (Kenny) and I, and Mark and Natalie, we were in total agreement,” said Paul Kenny.
“It was a very short discussion and a great way to finish what for us, and for her, has been a sparking career.”
Last night’s win was one they desperately wanted to round out her time on the track.
“We so badly wanted that win for her,” said Kenny.
“People in the media had been telling us that she’d lost her speed but after last week Mark commented that he was pleased that he had week to work closely with her.
“We never go in to any race, be it worth $2,000 or $200,000 with confidence. We were hoping, and that’s all you can do.”
Her career is similar on most metrics to her close relative Adore Me, but Kenny says trying to pick a favourite out of the two would be just too hard.
“You can’t compare the two.
“Adore Me didn’t race as a two-year-old but Dream About Me was the top two-year-old filly of her year.
“We just know we have been incredibly fortunate to race both mares, and feel blessed to have done so.”
Kenny points out that Dream About Me could have been retired a year ago thanks to an ongoing hoof problem, but through the hard work of the All Stars stable’s trainers and staff, they got her back to the track.
“We could have pulled the pin last year when she had those hiccups.
“But we have to give Mark and Natalie, their vet Lindsay Colwell and farrier, Kerry Estreich, absolute accolades for getting her back.
“She hits the ground fairly hard and all depends on how you’ve got her shod.”
Dream About Me will fly home on Tuesday and then arrive at her new home, the Kennys’ Ardmore property.
“And that’s where she’ll stay.”
As for her first consort, Kenny says the leading contender is probably Woodlands Studs’ newest stallion.
“We are very lucky to have some good choices available at the stud.
“I’ve got great regard, on type, for Downbytheseaside and I’m looking forward to what his first foals look like.”
The other option was likely to be Sweet Lou, said Kenny.
Speaking of Sweet Lou, he plays a key part in the Kennys’ succession plan for Dream About Me, being the sire of their next star filly.
They were comfortable rounding off her career knowing Adore Me’s first foal, Sweet On Me, is just kicking off hers.
She was a brilliant winner again at Alexandra Park on Friday night and looks to have and upcoming stakes race at her mercy.
Another three or four years of excitement in Group 1 races on both sides of the ditch probably beckons.
For now, they’ll reflect on Dream About Me’s career, one which, at times, got the Kenny and Roberts families through various personal upheavals.
“I just don’t know which race was the stand out for me,” said Paul.
“Every time she started, she gave it her utmost and last night was pretty special for us.
“It’s not often I’m stuck for words when speaking after a win, but I was last night.
“I was speechless.”
- NZ Harness News
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