Draw suits Kiwi star in Chariots Of Fire

Everything is falling into place for young Kiwi harness racing star Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) heading into Saturday’s $250,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire at Menangle.

Four terrific Aussies run this trip, and an ideal draw clearly marks the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Don’t Stop Dreaming the horse to beat in Australasia’s premier four-year-old feature.

Mark Purdon described gate two as “excellent” and said his latest stable stars were primed after another Menangle win last Saturday night.

Surprisingly, Don’t Stop Dreaming re-opened $2.70 equal favourite with Jason Grimson’s exciting stable addition Frankie Ferocious (gate four) after the draw.

Young Bathurst star Better Be The Best (gate four, $5.50) and another top Kiwi raider, Its Merlin (seven, $5.50), are next in the market.

“I couldn’t ask for much better than that,” Purdon said of Don’t Stop Dreaming’s draw. 

“It’s ideal, and he’s got early speed so that we can use it.”

“He’s really thrived during his time in Australia and built-in fitness all the way through after a setback before he came across.”

“I’m glad we gave him that run last Saturday night to top him off. This is a really strong race, and it would’ve been three weeks between races otherwise.”

“He did it comfortably and came through it well.”

Frankie Ferocious, breathtaking wins in both runs since joining Grimson’s stable, boasts blazing gate speed and will be charging out from gate four.

The wildcard early could be Its Merlin’s talented stablemate, Sooner The Bettor, who packs plenty of early speed and has barrier one.

Mark Purdon is chasing his third Chariots Of Fire, having gone back-to-back with Have Faith In Me in 2016 and Lazarus in 2017.

Have Faith In Me backed up to win the Miracle Mile at his next run.

Barry Purdon has Its Merlin and Sooner The Bettor in his quest for a fifth Chariots win, but the last of them was back in 2015 with Our Sky Major.

The importance of the Chariots Of Fire runs deep for the $1mil Miracle Mile a week later.

The past eight Chariots winners have either won or been placed in the Miracle Mile, including Catch A Wave, who completed the double last year.

The difference this year is the Chariots Of Fire is run a week later, meaning just a one-week instead of a two-week break between it and the Miracle Mile.

Queensland sensation Leap To Fame gets a 15-day break after securing his Miracle Mile berth by winning last Friday night’s Newcastle Mile.

Grant Dixon’s superstar is a $2.30 pre-post favourite for the Mile ahead of Don’t Stop Dreaming and Frankie Ferocious at $5.50.

CHARIOTS OF FIRE BARRIER DRAW (all from front row): Sooner The Bettor, Dont Stop Dreaming, Better Be The Best, Frankie Ferocious, Captain Hammerhead, Sure Thing Captain, Its Merlin, Earl Of Pembroke (2nd emerg), Captains Knock, Our Vinnie, Dougs Platter (1st emerg), Rocknroll Hammer.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia