Gath keeps the drive on Don’t Stop Dreaming tonight

Tonight’s Terang Cup may seem a left-field option for star Kiwi pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight), but not when you take a glance at the race’s Honour Roll.

One of the greatest pacer’s the sport has seen, Blacks A Fake, is the biggest name on the list.

Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen used the 2006 Terang Cup win to launch Blacks A Fake towards the first of his four Inter Dominion wins, in Hobart just weeks later.

Just days after winning the 2015 Hunter Cup, Kerryn Manning took Arden Rooney to Terang in New South Wales and won the Cup. Months later, he became the first Aussie pacer in 28 years to win the NZ Cup.

Before them, the great Sokyola won Terang Cups in 2003 and 2005 – before and after – a plethora of major wins, including two Miracle Miles.

In Don’t Stop Dreaming’ case, the Terang Cup simply suited his preparation for another tilt at the Miracle Mile.

Just four years ago, Anthony Butt used Terang to prepare Wolf Stride, who won a Miracle Mile qualifier and then ran third in the Mile itself.

“It suited to stay down in Victoria a week longer and go to Terang, rather than head to Sydney early,” Purdon said.

That way Don’t Stop Dreaming will have the foundation of three runs in as many weeks, but get a two-week break before the crucial Miracle Mile qualifying races at Menangle on March 1.

And excited Kate Gath keeps the drive after partnering Don’t Stop Dreaming for the first time when a fantastic second to Leap To Fame in last week’s Group 1 Cranbourne Cup.

“It’s exciting and a real bonus,” Gath said. “I knew I was just warming the seat at Cranbourne so to get another go on him is terrific.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming is a $1.55 favourite for the Cup that goes at 10.33pm NZT.

Gath was suitably impressed at Cranbourne.

“He went super,” she said. “Every time I asked him for a bit more, he kept giving.

“I heard Grant (Dixon) say after the race he was a bit surprised he couldn’t shake us off, that’s a real credit to this horse.

“I just wish I’d been able to drop back in behind Leap To Fame on the home bend. I got close, but Mach Dan did just enough to keep me out.

“I’m not saying we’d have beaten Leap To Fame, but we’d have got a lot closer with that little breather.”

It was the second time Don’t Stop Dreaming has run second to Leap To The Fame. The other was in last year’s Hunter Cup.

“Mark felt the Hunter Cup run would’ve brought the horse on and it certainly seemed that way,” Gath said.

“It’s an easier race this week, especially with no Leap To Fame there, so you’d expect him to go very close if he runs up to last week.”

On the same card, Gath drives her only stable star Catch A Wave in a support race at Terang.

“We could’ve gone to the (Terang) Cup with him, but just prefer to keep him to the sprint races leading into the Miracle Mile,” she said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand