Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) Stamps Class in Ace Of Spades

Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) confirmed his status at the top of the New Zealand two-year-old ranks with his dominant win in the $100,000 The Crossing Ace Of Spades (1980m) at Addington on Sunday. 

The NZB Standardbred graduate unleashed sensational sectional times leaving his rivals in the dust and registering Group One win number two in just his seventh start for trainers Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen.

The outstanding colt was purchased by All Stars Racing Stables for $250,000 from Studholme Bloodstock at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

A second-row draw proved little hindrance to Don’t Stop Dreaming in his Group One victory. The star colt settled into a handy spot in the one-one early, but Purdon was quick to move his charge forward when rivals made three-wide runs.

When Don’t Stop Dreaming found the lead with a lap to go he was going to take plenty of catching. And as it turned out, the rest of the field were chasing the brilliant colt’s shadows.

“I thought the three-wide line would block him in, so I opted to make a quick decision to get out and get going with him,” Purdon said.

“He was clearly well today and once he made the front he was going to be hard to beat, and he held Sherlock off well.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming stopped the clock in a brilliant 2-19.6 time for 1980 metres.

NZB Standardbred graduates totally dominated the Group One Ace Of Spades field, making up 10 of the 11 starters in the event and filling the first seven placings.

Sherlock (NZ) (Vincent) chased his stablemate boldly in the home straight to take second. The runner-up was purchased by Jean Feiss for $67,500 out of the Spreydon Lodge draft at the 2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

Sinbad (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) fought on bravely to take third after racing three-wide from the 800 metre mark to round out an All Stars Stable trifecta. Sinbad was also purchased by Jean Feiss for $26,000 at the 2020 All Aged Sale from Woodlands Stud.

In a stunning training effort, NZB Standardbred graduates Final Collect (NZ) (Art Major) and Vinke B (NZ) (Vincent) finished fourth and fifth respectively to complete an All Stars Stable first-five.

Charlie Brown (NZ) (Art Major) and Watermelon Sugar (NZ) (Sweet Lou) were next across the line to complete a top seven filled with NZB Standardbred graduates. 

Vendor	Studholme Bloodstock
Purchaser	All Stars Racing Stables
Breeding	Bettor’s Delight x Start Dreaming
Sale	2021 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $250,000
Bred by	Studholme Bloodstock & M B Jefferies