By Michael Guerin
The gap has now closed between the All Stars flying fillies.
That was Mark Purdon’s frank admission after Golden Goddess handed Dream About Me her first career defeat at Addington on Friday night.
The big staying filly outsprinted her hot favourite stablemate in their Nevele R Fillies heat after a beautifully-rated drive from Michelle Neilson.
Neilson was catch driving for Natalie Rasmussen, who was in Auckland to partner the stable runners on Rowe Cup night.
And Neilson handled Golden Goddess a treat, letting her stroll along in front before roaring home in 56 seconds for the last 800m, but more importantly 25.9 for the final 400m.
That meant Dream About Me, previously unbeaten in 12 starts, couldn’t make any ground in her first start since her NSW Oaks victory.
The Purdon-Rasmussen stable now look forward to the Nevele R Final and NZ Oaks with Golden Goddess, Dream About Me and Piccadilly Princess, all group one winners this season.
And while Dream About Me has always seemed to have a class edge, Purdon says there is now little or nothing between the trio.
“Dream About Me is a very, very good filly and she will improve on that run,” says Purdon.
“But Piccadilly Princess really turned the corner during that northern trip in March when she won the Oaks and she has gone on with it since then in the Victoria Oaks.” But it is Golden Goddess who Purdon takes a lot of pleasure out of seeing back to her best.
“She was brilliant early in the season at Alexandra Park but had a few little things not quite right for the Oaks up there.
“But she has worked up great this time and won very well last night.
“So she is right on target for these next two races.”
All three now head to the Nevele R Final at Addington on May 14 followed by the NZ Oaks a week later and then the Jewels, before the stable decides who to take to Australia for the Breeders Crown.
One stablemate not joining them in the Oaks is MacKenzie, who heads across the Tasman this week for racing in NSW, along with undefeated three-year-old Waikiki Beach.
“Waikiki Beach heads to the Newcastle Derby next Saturday with Luke McCarthy while MacKenzie races next weekend as well.” WA Derby runner-up Chase The Dream is in Melbourne and will also race next weekend before returning for the Jewels, for which he has opened a $2.50 favourite.
One of the stable’s headliners at the Jewels will be Spanish Armada, who justified her hot favouritism in the $150,000 Sires’ Stakes Championship at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
She worked her way to the front and held off the strong late challenge on Delightful Memphis, who did enough in second to suggest she can still snare a major win.
“She is a good filly so it is the Jewels next for her then we will decide about the Breeders Crown,” said Purdon of Spanish Armada.
The stable had seven starters in the Sires’ but Purdon says not all will head to the Jewels, a couple suggesting last night they are ready for a spell.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
