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Dream a Bettor chance for Purdon at Breeders Crown

Nathan Purdon is confident about Amazing Dream’s chances in the 4YO Mares Breeders Crown final. Picture: Stuart McCormick

 

 

By Adam Hamilton
12:31pm • 19 November 2021

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It is up to Nathan Purdon to continue a fantastic family strike rate in the Breeders Crown on Saturday night.

Purdon’s champion father, Mark, has been as influential as any trainer in the history of the Breeders Crown with a staggering 10 victories.

But some time out of the game to recharge, the travel restrictions of Covid-19, a new timeslot for the Breeders Crown (back from August to November) and a change in business model from Mark has presented Nathan with the best two of his four winning chances in the quest for his Breeders Crown triumph.

In the past, Mark Purdon and/or his partner Natalie Rasmussen, would have been in Victoria chasing the riches.

Now it’s Nathan taking two of the stars of Mark and Natalie’s “All Stars” barn – Bettor Twist and Amazing Dream – to Melton.

His other two finalists, American Dealer and Amore Vita, have come from other Kiwi trainers.

“So many NZ trainers have been such a big part of the Breeders Crown over the years so it’s a series that means a lot to me,” Purdon said.

“I’m lucky to have some really nice horses going into the finals.

“The best part of it is, I think I’ve got all four of them as good as I can possibly have them, they’ve all peaked at the right time and are all winning chances.”

Most would say megastar three-year-old filly Bettor Twist is Purdon’s best winning hope, but not in his books.

“I’d have to say I’m most confident about Amazing Dream (4YO Mares final) of the quartet,” he said.

“What she did last week in defeat was amazing. She really is something else. If the race had been another 400m last week, I’m sure she’d have won and she gets that extra 400m this week.

“Anthony (Butt) will drive her aggressively again, he has to from that draw, but she’ll just keep coming. They’ll need to be good to hold her out this week.”

Bettor Twist is the favourite in a strong edition of the Pacing Fillies final. Picture: Stuart McCormick

Bettor Twist is favourite in a super strong $200,000 Group 1 3YO Pacing Fillies final and Purdon is in awe of her, but also respectful of the sheer depth of talent in the race.

“What a race it is, what a fantastic group of fillies they are,” he said.

“I’ve got no doubt Bettor Twist is as good, if not better, than any of them, but it looks like she’ll have to do all the work to win it. She’s ready to do that and is probably good enough to, but to outstay the leader (expected to be Beach Music) then hold-off the swoopers headed by Ladies In Red will take something really special.

“We knew she was underdone in those first two defeats, then she was very close to primed last week when she won easily in the finish, but now she’s as good as we can get her. She’s ready to run a mighty race and she’s so tough. It should be a great race.”

American Dealer starred during the Queensland Winter Carnival, headlined by his Queensland Derby win, but he’s been winless in five Victorian runs for Purdon.

“There’s no doubt it’s been a class rise for him down here, especially against Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s horses. But it’s just now he’s really come good. His last two runs have been really pleasing and, although he’s not a good track worker, he’s really picked-up at home as well,” Purdon said.

“It’s another really strong race, but I’ve changed my mind on him. Two week’s ago I didn’t think he could win the final, now I think he’s a winning chance if he got the right sort of run and the race was run at a strong enough tempo.”

Purdon also warned not to judge Amore Vita too harshly for a slightly disappointing second in her semi-final of the 2YO Pacing Fillies series last week.

“Chris (Alford) said she just got a bit keen and that took too much out of her for the finish,” he said.

“We’ve taken the blinkers off, put the pull-up blinds on and that should help her settle better early, especially from that back row draw.

“We haven’t seen her driven for speed yet, but she’s got plenty. I think she’s right in this final if she gets the right sort of luck.”

 

 

[Newmarket]

No big money tonight, so many purdon favs beaten …

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Newmarket said:

No big money tonight, so many purdon favs beaten …

Worthwhile racing then!

Crowds back next week, watch it spread!

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, Newmarket said:

No big money tonight, so many purdon favs beaten …

Don't worry too much. just a temporary Lull in proceedings. 

Sires stakes heats tonight went to Dunn's and Dalgety's  who train 'SundeesSon' and 'Krug' each , so they REALLY know what they are doing as well. Running 2nd to those trainers generates VLC !!!  (very little concern)

Mark Purdon still won 2 x GROUP 1's on Cup day earlier this month (Oscar B and also the Sires Stakes Final for the 7th year running) How amazing is that?? super good.    and a 2nd in the NZ Cup to 'Copy That' wasn't completely unexpected, nor 2nd to SouthCArden in the Nz FFA either. were excellent results!!! . so All is going swimmingly. 

Nathan Purdon out-gunned by Emma Stewart in the lead article of this thread in Victoria , but Not far off at all for a young bloke. Some fantastic results for NZ with his Breeders Crown placings this month.

 AND not long to go till  AKUTA ,  ( the best horse yet) is back on the track and taking the BIG money. !!!!!!! watch him go. super-good. 

Brodster can hang a picture of him next to 'LAZ' up on his wall soon. will be great .