by Adam Hamilton
Tonight’s Terang Cup may seem a left-field option for star Kiwi pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming, but not when you take a glance at the race’s Honour Roll.
One of the greatest pacer’s the sport has seen, Blacks A Fake, is the biggest name on the list.
Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen used the 2006 Terang Cup win to launch Blacks A Fake towards the first of his four Inter Dominion wins, in Hobart just weeks later.
Just days after winning the 2015 Hunter Cup, Kerryn Manning took Arden Rooney to Terang in New South Wales and won the Cup. Months later, he became the first Aussie pacer in 28 years to win the NZ Cup.
Before them, the great Sokyola won Terang Cups in 2003 and 2005 – before and after – a plethora of major wins, including two Miracle Miles.
In Don’t Stop Dreaming’ case, the Terang Cup simply suited his preparation for another tilt at the Miracle Mile.
Just four years ago, Anthony Butt used Terang to prepare Wolf Stride, who won a Miracle Mile qualifier and then ran third in the Mile itself.
“It suited to stay down in Victoria a week longer and go to Terang, rather than head to Sydney early,” Purdon said.
That way Don’t Stop Dreaming will have the foundation of three runs in as many weeks, but get a two-week break before the crucial Miracle Mile qualifying races at Menangle on March 1.
And excited Kate Gath keeps the drive after partnering Don’t Stop Dreaming for the first time when a fantastic second to Leap To Fame in last week’s Group 1 Cranbourne Cup.
“It’s exciting and a real bonus,” Gath said. “I knew I was just warming the seat at Cranbourne so to get another go on him is terrific.”
Don’t Stop Dreaming is a $1.55 favourite for the Cup that goes at 10.33pm NZT.
Gath was suitably impressed at Cranbourne.
“He went super,” she said. “Every time I asked him for a bit more, he kept giving.
“I heard Grant (Dixon) say after the race he was a bit surprised he couldn’t shake us off, that’s a real credit to this horse.
“I just wish I’d been able to drop back in behind Leap To Fame on the home bend. I got close, but Mach Dan did just enough to keep me out.
“I’m not saying we’d have beaten Leap To Fame, but we’d have got a lot closer with that little breather.”
It was the second time Don’t Stop Dreaming has run second to Leap To The Fame. The other was in last year’s Hunter Cup.
“Mark felt the Hunter Cup run would’ve brought the horse on and it certainly seemed that way,” Gath said.
“It’s an easier race this week, especially with no Leap To Fame there, so you’d expect him to go very close if he runs up to last week.”
On the same card, Gath drives her only stable star Catch A Wave in a support race at Terang.
“We could’ve gone to the (Terang) Cup with him, but just prefer to keep him to the sprint races leading into the Miracle Mile,” she said.
Swayzee heads to Albury as he chases $1m bonus
By Adam Hamilton
Cam Hart is not taking tonight’s Albury Cup in Victoria for granted with dual New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee.
Despite the mighty stayer winning 19 of his 25 starts for trainer Jason Grimson, including an epic last start win over Leap To Fame in the Hunter Cup, Hart insists an outside back row draw, full field and some quality opposition will make the race a challenge.
“Yes, you do go expecting him to win races like this, but this won’t just be a stroll in the park,” he said.
“It’s a small track and clearly the best field of the four NSW Cups he’s been in so far. Captain Hammerhead is a lovely horse and I’ve got some time for Catalpa Rescue, too.”
Despite that, Swayzee is a $1.10 favourite. The race will go at 10.53pm NZT.
Hart said the mighty stayer had thrived since the Hunter Cup win, which he believes was the best of Swayzee’s career so far.
“He’s really well. The timing of the race is good, too. It’s a couple of weeks since the Hunter Cup and we’ve got four weeks until his next run, so we can afford to go out there and really make it a contest,” he said.
“I’m still buzzing after that Hunter Cup. He went super in the Victoria Cup (last October) and the two NZ Cups wins have been terrific, but I think the Hunter Cup is his best win yet.
“In a great field like that, to come from a back row draw and just keep running in that (record) time.
“It’s the biggest thrill I’ve had in the game, so I guess that says it all.”
Swayzee will guarantee connections at least a $500,000 bonus if he wins at Albury as fourth leg of the five-race NSW Carnival of Cups.
He’s already won the first three legs at Parkes, Young and Tamworth and can boost the bonus to $1 million if he wins at Albury and then adds the final leg, the Renshaw Cup, at Penrith on March 14.
