Don’t Stop Dreaming is pressing on with his Sydney campaign in spite of a disappointing last 200 in the Grp 2 Cordina Group Sprint at Menangle on Saturday.Nathan believes not too much should be read into the run.
After the leaders scorched the opening 400m in 25.1 for much of which “Darci” was three wide,he dragged winner Swayzee i into the race and was left parked when Swayzee outmuscled Merlin for the lead at the 600 the latter having been challenged hard from gate rise. Don’t Stop Dreaming was still hanging tough at the corner tho faded in the straight to beat two home including early blazer Nyack.
“He’s an experienced horse now and I think he knows when he is out of it and drops the bit a little” Nathan suggested
“If he is still in with a chance he gives you everything but if its got away from him he doesn’t have the same fire.So you can’t read too much into a run like that.They ran 1.48.6 and thats a hot speed to be parked on”
Next week is the $A1m Miracle Mile,the $A200,000 NSW Derby and the $A100,000 Ainsworth FFA as well as the $A100,000 Hammerhead Mile for Oscar Bonavena (pictured) whom Nathan reports as “really thriving” in Australia and ready for a big run. He has already won over $A50,000 on the trip. Mark will be on hand to drive in Sydney next week.
Nathan was heartened by the performances of Without You and Rubina who both won at Alexandra Park on Friday.
“Particularly liked the effort of Rubira coming from last.Those older horses are always hard to beat and to do it like that for a three year old was encouraging for what’s coming up. They both showed quick recovery on heart monitoring so everything going the right way there at the moment.”
Vessem,still on theup after his fine Derby run was taking a step on his on his all aged way at Rangiora against older horses off 20m on Sunday and Luby’s Luck was listed to head south to Oamaru midweek.