COVID the catalyst for Australasia’s latest million-dollar mare

It is rare to see anything cheerful about COVID-19 in the news however harness racing changed that tonight at Albion Park.

In a twist of fate, the global pandemic forced legendary reinsman Mark Purdon out of ‘holiday mode’ and back into the sulky to win tonight’s inaugural $250,000 Rising Sun with the aptly named Amazing Dream, the only mare in the Group 1.

Having her first start under the guidance of Purdon’s son, trainer Nathan Purdon needed a driver for the mare due to the current restrictions in place and called upon his father who has been holidaying in Queensland.

“I’m really proud of the horse and it’s extra special having Dad in the bike,” said Nathan.

“She’s always been a good mare back home (New Zealand), I just had the pressure to maintain her so I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

It was almost five years ago to the day that Nathan Purdon trained and drove a Group 1 winner at Albion Park when claiming the Blacks A Fake with Ohoka Punter.

“It’s hard to top the Blacks A Fake a few years ago but this is right up there,” he said.

“The gait speed of the mare was underestimated going into the race and it put her in the best position.”

Starting from barrier three, Purdon pushed Amazing Dream forward enough to create a space behind Krug who blistered out of barrier one, to position her behind the leader.

The main fancies all worked to gain a forward position as the quarters were rolled through in 30.2, 29.2, 28 and 27.2 seconds.

With the sprint lane Purdon’s ace up his sleeve, he steered Amazing Dream down as soon as he could to build up momentum and beat the fast-finishing Copy That by a head and cause an upset in the process with starting odds of $19.

The mile rate for the 2138m feature was 1:54.9. Watch the replay here.

“We had the perfect run and were able to capitalise off it,” said Purdon.

“She came out of the gate really well, the best she has in her life actually, so the timing couldn’t have been better.

“It’s a great result for the American people that purchased her for big money.

“She’s always been a great mare and did it all at home . . . she beat the boys in the Derby and also won the Auckland Cup, she’s just a great, great mare.

“I’m really thrilled for him (Nathan) . . . he’s just making a start in his career and you need a good horse to fly the flag for you and hopefully this opens up more opportunities for him.”

This success pushed Amazing Dream’s earnings to $1,097,385.

She is now the third-richest daughter of Bettors Delight bred in the Southern Hemisphere.

The two mares in front of her are Adore Me ($1,667,029) and Our Dream About Me ($1,375,085) who were both trained by Purdon.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink