Is Don’t Stop Dreaming ready?

That’s the big question… is Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) ready for harness racing’s Garrards Sires Stakes Series heat at Addington on Saturday (Apr. 8)? 

The three year old hasn’t been spotted at trials or workouts recently and has been prepped for his resumption at home by trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon.

“He’s probably five percent down on his best at the moment,” Nathan told me.

That being said, Purdon believes Saturday’s feature is still very winnable.   

“He’s the class horse of the field, is really well and has strengthened up a lot. He’s come back every bit as good if not better than he was last season. He’s a very versatile horse and can run the gate as though he’s tied to it, or be driven for one run. Natalie (Rasmussen) is going to drive him which will be a huge advantage.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming has been beaten just once in his seven start career – by his arch rival Merlin (Art Major).

Numerically the Purdon’s hold the key to the race with Final Collect (Art Major), Vinke B (Vincent) and OK Boomer (Bettor’s Delight) taking their place alongside their classy stablemate. 

Final Collect who didn’t have a lot of luck in his two year old season, got the new season off to the perfect start by winning at Addington last Friday. He gets a very workable draw in a race that’s expected to have fireworks early.

“He seems very well and he’s a horse on the up. I’m not saying he’s as good as the real top ones but if he got a nice economical trip he’s good enough to run in the first three or four.”

Vinke B draws gate six in the $22,000 three year old feature. He ran home nicely for third behind Triple G and Major Torque (Art Major) last Friday night at Addington. 

“I thought his last run was good because he did a bit of work over the first furlong out of the gate without going anywhere. He got to the marker pegs and was still finding the line at the end. He’s not a horse than can make his own luck in this company. If he gets the right run he’ll still be hitting the line at the end.” 

Purdon’s fourth runner OK Boomer also commenced his three year old season last Friday coming home late in the same race as Vinke B. 

“He’s a big round horse that carries a lot of condition so that race would have tightened him up a lot and Saturday’s race will get him to peak fitness.”

As is often the case the small field could lead to this heat being very tactical. Coney Island Lou (Sweet Lou) has gate speed to burn early and Robert and Jenna Dunn have a big opinion of Triple G (Downbytheseaside) who impressed with a winning return to racing last Friday. 

With Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach) and Merlin out of the frame this week and a handful of other quality three year olds around age group racing in this category, there will be plenty of highlights this season.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink