Chase A Dream wins ninth Flying Mile for Purdon

“It was do or die tonight,” trainer Mark Purdon who trains in partnership with his son Nathan, said after Chase A Dream (Captaintreacherous) turned his form around and caused an upset in the $60,000 Group Two Garrards Waikato Pacers Flying Mile tonight at Cambridge.

Prior to tonight’s run the four year old stallion had looked well off his best.

“His last two runs were under par.”

But Purdon saw a change in the horse during the week which persuaded him to line up in the pacing feature.

“I only lined him up because I couldn’t fault him. The way he trained and the way he was eating, just his whole demeaner. He seemed very well. Tonight he was on his game and put his best foot forward.”

Gavin Smith and Rakero Rocket opened up the field early with a 25.5 first quarter and Purdon was able to slot Chase A Dream into the one one.

At the top of the straight Purdon had a handful of horse and let Chase A Dream run home under his own steam to win by two lengths from Merlin who came from well back. Pinseeker was a brave third a length back, after sitting parked.

CHASE A DREAM REPLAY

The winning time of 1-51.4 was a new race and track record erasing the 1-52.0 recorded by 2023 winner Self Assured.

Chase A Dream is owned by Mark Purdon and American Chris Ryder who purchased the horse earlier this month from Studholme Bloodstock and the stallion’s other group of owners.

Mark in his own right or in partnership has now won nine Waikato Pacers Flying Miles. His other winners have been: Self Assured, Chase Auckland, Turn It Up, Lazarus, Adore Me, Auckland Reactor, Young Rufus and Ouch.

And when asked about the $1,000,000 The Race by betcha to be run in a weeks time at the same venue, he said

“He’ll be here now (laughter).”

Chase A Dream’s half-sister Secret Wish (Bettor’s Wish) made it a family double when she won at Addington for the same training partnership.

Purdon Racing made it a feature race double at Cambridge when Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) won the $60,000 Group Two Dunstan Horsefeeds Waikato Trotters Flying Mile.

The nine year old stallion which is also owned by Purdon and Ryder was too good in the run home, winning by two and a half lengths with Not As Promised running second.

The winning time was 1-55.7.

OSCAR BONAVENA REPLAY

“He raced really well in Australia apart from the last race. He’s been trotting well and he doesn’t know his age yet I don’t think,” Purdon said.

Turning in, Purdon had Oscar Bonavena travelling and was on the lookout for any challenges.

“I turned the stick and I was waiting on Bet N Win to turn up. But he (Oscar Bonavena) just had too much speed.”

Oscar Bonavena becomes only the second horse to win the Waikato Trotters Flying Mile three times. The other was great trotting mare Tussle who won in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

The $600,000 TAB Trot in seven days time is the stallion’s major target.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink