Purdon duo confirmed for Hunter Cup and Great Southern Star

The New Zealand assault on Victoria’s Grand Circuit stage will continue with Nathan Purdon confirming both Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) and Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) will contest the Sportsbet A.G Hunter Cup and the Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star.

“Don’t Stop Dreaming and Oscar Bonavena will be there,” Nathan Purdon said.

“They fly out on the 29^th (of January) I believe.”

The pair were scheduled to have a final run in New Zealand before making their way to Australia.

“They were actually meant to race this coming Friday in New Zealand, but the race didn’t stand up,” Purdon said.

“That is a little bit frustrating, but they will probably head to the track and have a private run-around to get them up to the mark.”

Nathan’s dad, Mark, is set to drive the pair in their respective classes. Mark Purdon took out the A.G Hunter Cup in 2016 and 2018 with Smolda and Lazarus respectively.

“I would say dad will probably fly over and drive them and stay with them,” Mark Purdon said.

The pair will stay on to chase the Cranbourne Cup for both the pacers and the trotters the following week.

“There is a Cranbourne Cup the week later and Don’t Stop Dreaming will contest that as well,” he said.

Don’t Stop Dreaming finished second in the 2024 edition of the Cup behind Leap To Fame.

Squaregaiter Oscar Bonavena will make his third appearance in Victoria, with his last run in the state occurring in 2020, where the son of Nows The Moment finished fourth in the Great Southern Star behind the Andy Gath-trained Tornado Valley.

Purdon’s duo will join Auckland and Invercargill Cup winner’s the Cran Dalgety-prepared Republican Party as fellow Kiwi’s to contest the features on February 1.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria