By Duane Ranger
Mark Purdon’s sixth win in the Group Three $35,000 Junior Free-For-All behind Dream About Me at Addington Raceway yesterday will always bit more special than the others.
“She reminds me a lot of Adore Me and we know how good she is. She’s an amazing mare and won’t be out of place in next year’s New Zealand Cup,” said Purdon who drove the mare and trains her with Natalie Rasmussen at Rolleston.
Dream About Me started from gate nine and Purdon said he thought he might have made an error with the daughter of Bettor’s Delight and Splendid Dreams.
“I ended up parked outside Locharburn and Field Marshall was in the trail. They are quality horses who wouldn’t be out of place in the Cup.
“For her to out-stay good horses like that is a bit special. She has traces of Adore Me in her. I rate her very highly,” Purdon said.
Like Adore Me, Dream About Me was bred by retired legendary Auckland veterinarian. He shares in the ownership with the estate of Mrs June Roberts, Paul Kenny, and Mrs Mare Kenny.
Splendid Dreams is the daughter of former New Zealand mile record holder Scuse Me, who left 2014 New Zealand Cup winner Adore Me and yesterday’s second favourite for the Cup – Have Faith In Me. Both were by Bettor’s Delight.
Dream About Me paced the 2600m mobile in 3:10.3 (mile rate 1:58.2) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 54.8 and 27 even. There was just a neck and head back to Locharburn and Field Marshall.
It was Dream About Me’s second consecutive win this campaign and 16th from 18 overall. And just under $800,000 in stakes. Three of those wins have come at Addington.
“That was a slick last half considering she was doing it into a strong wind. She’s a real up and comer this girl. The owners are going to have a lot of fun because she’s the realk deal all right,” Purdon said.
Purdon has now won six Junior-Free-For-Alls. He also won the race with Adore Me three years ago, Auckland Reactor in 2008, Jack Cade 2003, Young Rufus in 2001, Il Vicolo 1995, Tax Credit in 1988.
Dream About Me will now return on Friday to take on the boys in the Group One New Zealand Free-For-All.
Locharburn and Field Marshal will both be there, but so too is likely to be Lazarus – and even potentially Have Faith In Me.
A decision will be made today on whether or not the latter is getting on a plane to head to Perth for the Inter Dominions or not, but if he doesn’t the Free-For-All is a likely target.
But with Lazarus and Have Faith In Me in the race – there’s a solid Group One drive on offer for someone as Purdon and Rasmussen are seemingly unlikely to jump ship.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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