Amazing Dream primed for Hunter Cup

Nathan Purdon knows he is about to farewell champion mare Amazing Dream, but he’s still got some unfinished business.

Now owned in the US, Amazing Dream is almost certain to be flown across to the States after the Miracle Mile.

So that means she will have three more runs for Purdon, starting with Saturday night’s $500,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton.

“Then she’ll go to one of the qualifying sprints at Menangle (February 26) and the Miracle Mile, if she gets a run,” he said, “I guess it would be fitting of a race like the Miracle Mile was her farewell here. That’s the way it’s looking.”

Purdon had wanted to chase the Group 1 Ladyship Mile at Menangle, but it’s on the same night as the Miracle Mile qualifying races.

“It’s a bit messy. The owners would really like her to run in the Miracle Mile and the best way of getting in is through the qualifying sprints rather than the Ladyship. She’d have to win the Ladyship to get a run, but top three in a sprint should be enough,” he said.

“Sure, we’ll all be sad to see her go, but the way I see it, we’ve been privileged to have her at all and she’s done so much for us.”

And the best could still be yet to come?

For everything Amazing Dream has achieved through 10 Group 1 wins so far, winning a Hunter Cup would trump the lot.

And she’s right in this Hunter Cup, especially after the barrier draw.

Amazing Dream drew gate eight (inside the back row) and follows out favourite and polemarker King Of Swing, who most expect to lead.

It’s probable Amazing Dream will get to follow King Of Swing everywhere and have the last crack at him late.

“On paper it looks really good for her, but we all know it doesn’t always turn out how you expect,” Purdon said.

“If she can get that sort of run, she will be very hard to hold-out. She can do work if she needs to and still be very competitive, but at the very top level getting the chance to sit on them and sprint late is ideal for her.”

Purdon took Amazing Dream and classy stablemate Spellbound into Geelong for private workouts last Sunday.

“I’m really happy with them both,” he said. “Amazing Dream is as good as we can have her. She was terrific at Ballarat last time and has come on again since then.”

Spellbound returns from a freshen-up and is favourite from the pole in the $100,000 Ladyship Cup at Melton on Saturday night.

“She had that hard run in the Vicbred final (New Year’s Eve) in fast time and she’s freshened-up well. She’s right where we want her. I don’t see why she won’t lead and be very, very hard to beat this week,” Purdon said.

“Amazing Dream, Spellbound and Amore Vita, who also returns on Saturday night, are the three we’ll take to Sydney after this week.

“Spellbound will go for the Ladyship Mile and Amore Vita the (NSW) Oaks.”

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