Purdon praises brilliant unbeaten colt

Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) kept his unbeaten record intact when leading a harness racing field dominated by NZB Standardbred graduates, winning the $46,500 Group Two Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes (1980m) at Addington on Friday (May 13).

Don’t Stop Dreaming made it three wins from three starts, all at Group Two level when powering away from his rivals to win for trainers Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen.

The classy colt was purchased by All Stars Racing Stables for $250,000 from Studholme Bloodstock’s draft at NZB Standardbred’s 2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

Don’t Stop Dreaming is raced by All Stars Racing Stables’ clients Mark and Dennis Dunford and Ian Dobson.

Champion trainer Mark Purdon spoke glowingly about his unbeaten pacer following his third win at stakes level.

Purdon’s summary was particularly impressive considering he has prepared an incredible line up of champions of all ages and gaits during his glittering harness racing career.

“He is something special I think,” Purdon said. “He is just a class act, from the moment the arms folded he has just got that brilliance that puts a tingle up your spine.”

DON’T STOP DREAMING REPLAY

The class of the NZB Standardbred product was on full show when Don’t Stop Dreaming led home a field packed full of National Yearling Sale purchases.

Incredibly, the first six horses past the post and seven of the eight starters in the time-honoured feature, which dates back to 1943, are NZB Standardbred graduates.

Breeder-vendors Studholme Bloodstock produced an outstanding result with Final Collect (NZ) (Art Major) running second to Don’t Stop Dreaming. Studholme Bloodstock also offered Final Collect at the 2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

The two-year-old was an impressive winner on debut for the Purdon-Cullen stable before running second in Friday night’s feature.

Vinke B (NZ) (Vincent) backed up his good debut third behind Don’t Stop Dreaming in the $60,000 Group Two Diamond Creek Farm Classic (2200m) with another strong effort for third behind the unbeaten colt.

Vinke B was purchased for $42,000 by All Stars Racing Stable at the 2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale from Rosedale Farm.

OK Boomer (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) took fourth ahead of fellow NZB Standardbred graduates With Style (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) (fifth place), Commander Ben (NZ) (Art Major) (sixth place) and Aroda (NZ) (Art Major) (eighth place).

From NZB Standardbred