Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) Shows Off Staying Prowess in Group One Triumph

Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight)  delivered an incredibly powerful display in the $143,000 Group One Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final (1980m) at Addington.

After showing brilliant early speed in his latest championship heat win, plenty of pundits were expecting the NZB Standardbred graduate to lead Friday night’s stellar field.

But during the early burn, driver Natalie Rasmussen found a spot just behind the speed for Don’t Stop Dreaming.

Rasmussen then made a mid-race move and called on the brilliant colt’s superior staying qualities as he made it career win number nine and stakes success number six in just his tenth start at the races.

“He is just a gorgeous little horse, last week he showed all that gate speed but this week he showed how tough he is,” Rasmussen said.

“I can’t give him enough credit, he is just an all-round, wonderful little horse.”

“He was a little bit unlucky – his ear hood blew off down the back straight and he got a little bit keen.” “But he just keeps going.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming is raced by Ian Dobson and Mark and Dennis Dunford, following his purchase by the All Stars Racing Stables for $250,000 out of Studholme Bloodstock’s draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

The only time the pacer has been beaten came when he ran second to Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Pace, last year.

Harness racing fans will have to wait until the spring until the brilliant pair renew their rivalry, with Merlin ruled out of Friday night’s feature with a minor hoof injury.

The star pacer’s absence didn’t stop NZB Standardbred graduates from completely dominating the Group One Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final.

In a remarkable nod to NZB Standardbred’s national yearling and weanling sales being a source of elite-level horses, the field for the time-honoured three-year-old feature was made up completely by NZB Standardbred graduates.

Sinbad (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) chased the winner gamely after peeling three-wide from the 500m, running a strong second behind Don’t Stop Dreaming.

After sitting parked early in the race, Triple G (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) produced a very meritorious effort in his first start at Group One level, finishing third.

NZB Standardbred graduate Who’s Delight (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) ran fourth ahead of Captain Tom (NZ) (Captaintreacherous), Charlie Brown (NZ) (Art Major), With Style (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Vinke B (NZ) (Vincent), Sooner The Better NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Opo (NZ) (Downbytheseaside).