Searing speed keeps Bettor’s Delight colt unbeaten

Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) kept his unbeaten record intact when leading home a stellar harness racing line up of NZB Standardbred graduates in the $60,000 Group Two Diamond Creek Farm Classic (2200m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.

NZB Standardbred representatives sourced from New Zealand’s National Standardbred Yearling Sale made up six of the eight runners in the two-year-old feature and in an incredible display, they filled the first six placings.

Don’t Stop Dreaming led the way when dashing along the inner with scintillating speed to score for trainers Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen and driver Olivia Thornley.

The unbeaten colt was purchased from Studholme Bloodstock’s draft at NZB Standardbred’s 2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, secured by the All Stars Racing Stable for $250,000 price tag.

Olivia Thornley again produced a heady drive behind Don’t Stop Dreaming after guiding him to a debut win in the $46,000 Group Two Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes (1609m).

After finding the front, Thornley found a perfect spot in the trail for her charge who again let down with a brilliant finish.

“He’s a very classy horse who has a turn of foot that’s second to none,” Thornley said.

“He gave me my first Group Two win and now my second, so I’m just rapt to repay the owners.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming’s brilliant turn of foot was evident in the Diamond Creek Farm Classic’s closing sectionals. The colt came from behind the leader on a sensational 26.5 sec last 400 metres.

The Black Flash (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) put on a strong performance when fighting on to run second for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson.

The colt was purchased for $140,000 by Neville Cleaver from Studholme Bloodstock’s draft at the 2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

The Black Flash worked in the middle stages to find the lead before fighting on strongly for his second placing.

Vinke B (NZ) (Vincent) impressed with a gritty performance in his debut for the Purdon-Cullen stable. He sat parked for much of Saturday’s race before rallying strongly in the home straight to run third.

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

The trifecta of NZB Standardbred graduates were followed across the line by fellow National Yearling Sale purchases OK Boomer (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Classic Mission (NZ) (Vincent) and Tabasco (Bettor’s Delight) who rounded out the top six placings.

NZB Standardbred