Dream Run for Dreamer

Ridden like the best horse in the race, Dreamer (3 f More Than Ready - Make Me Strong, by Danehill) recorded a well-deserved win on the first day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting, Saturday Nov. 9, at Riccarton.

Having had a winner in the previous race, Christopher and Susanna Grace continued the theme as owners when Dreamer, who had finished second in five of her eight starts, got home under rider Matt Cameron in 1:24.3, last 600m in 35.1, for the 1400 metres.

Immediately onto the pace from barrier four, Cameron had horse as Dreamer travelled boldly to the front at the 400 metres and finding two lengths when asked to extend she kept up a strong gallop to win by one and a half lengths.

A $220,000 purchase for the owners by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, Dreamer finished second in an early two-year-old race when debuting as a juvenile, last October at Wanganui, and runner-up to good calibre horses: Fantastic Honour (Any Suggestion) and Salamanca (Alamosa) in subsequent starts.

“David bought the filly for me to win a two-year-old race; I hadn't raced a two-year-old for fifty years and although she didn't win she went very close on a number of occasions,” said Christopher Grace.

“The win is pretty special to us,” said Grace. “We've had a wonderful time here (Riccarton) over the years and team could get into a bit of mischief. It's very good to get the maiden win after she placed in a stakes' race a few weeks ago.

Dreamer clearly brought the best form in the race, having come from back in the field for fifth equal on Oct. 19 in the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m) won by stable-mate Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), run in unofficial race record time (1:21.13) at Ashburton, and fighting hard for second on Sept. 21 in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Riccarton, in her two previous starts.

A filly that has always shown plenty of zip, Dreamer comes from the family of Atomic Force (Danehill Dancer), who trekked across the Tasman to win the 2012 Railway Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Ellerslie, before finishing second to Guiseppina (Johar) in the Telegraph Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Trentham. Encounter (Tierce), Head of the 1996-97 Australasian 2YO Classification and Joint-Head of the 1997-98 Australasian 3YO Classification is also in her pedigree.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.net.nz

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