Effortless Win Qualifies Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) for Chariots of Fire

Just days before his close relations are offered at the National Yearling Sales, Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) starred at Menangle in the A$50,000 Group Three Hondo Gratton Stakes (1609m).

The NZB Standardbred graduate continued his outstanding form in Australia with an effortless victory for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and driver Jack Callaghan.

Don’t Stop Dreaming was purchased by the All Stars Stable when he was offered among the Studholme Bloodstock draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sales at Christchurch.

Studholme Bloodstock will again offer an outstanding draft in the Christchurch sales ring, including two very close relatives of Don’t Stop Dreaming.

Lot 294 is a Bettors Delight colt from Don’t Stop Dreaming’s grand-dam Simply Devine (NZ) (In The Pocket).

While Lot 301 is a full brother to the multiple Group One winning star.

Nathan Purdon was delighted with the ease of Don’t Stop Dreaming and was able to round up his rivals within his Menangle debut.

Callaghan sat the brilliant four-year-old just off the speed and he pounced on the leaders to score a brilliant victory.

And with it, Don’t Stop Dreaming gained automatic entry into the A$250,000 Chariots Of Fire (1609m) at Menangle later this month.

“He won well, even though it was a pretty good field he was a class above them,” Purdon said.

Callaghan filled in for regular driver Mark Purdon and produced a perfect drive behind Don’t Stop Dreaming to score.

The reinsman was full of praise for the classy four-year-old following his win.

“He’s such a professional dude with an electric turn of foot,” Callaghan told HRNZ.

Don’t Stop Dreaming came into the Hondo Gratton Stakes after a brilliant second in the A$500,000 Group One Hunter Cup (3000m) at Melton behind Australia’s best pacer Leap To Fame (AUS) (Bettor’s Delight).

The Chariots Of Fire is an automatic qualifying race for the A$1,000,000 Miracle Mile, bringing hopes of another clash between Don’t Stop Dreaming and Leap To Fame.

But before then, Don’t Stop Dreaming could clash with his arch-rival and fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Merlin (NZ) (Art Major).

Trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan will attempt to qualify Merlin for the Chariots Of Fire in the coming weeks.