Nathan Purdon to train Amazing Dream

Amazing Dream’s had a lot of change in recent times. New owners, a new country – and now a new trainer in expat Kiwi Nathan Purdon .

It’s a case of “like father like son” after Nathan‘s dad Mark had such a huge role in her success from his All Stars stable in Rolleston.

Earlier this year Jean Feiss sold Amazing Dream to a US-based ownership group that includes Marc Hanover and Gordon Banks, who have had a long and successful association with buying and racing New Zealand Standardbreds.

After taking over the All Stars property this year, Hayden Cullen continued to train the horse until the IRT Harness Jewels at Cambridge on June 6. With a tricky second draw row the hot favourite finished fourth in the Woodlands Stud 4YO Diamond.

The seven-time Group One winner is now in Queensland and is set to run for Purdon in some of the key carnival races, likely culminating with a tilt at the $250,660 Group One The Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship on July 24.

“She’s there now and she’ll come into my name,” Purdon told Harness Racing Victoria.

While she is there Purdon is not.

He has moved from his base in Victoria to set up camp in New South Wales to avoid border restrictions foiling his attack on the upcoming Queensland carnival.

He is currently staying at Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s Cobbitty Equine Farm with star mare Spellbound, who will be targeted at some of the features next month.

After being in Greater Melbourne for the Tabcorp Park Melton races on Saturday night, Purdon said he decided to travel interstate and do 14 days quarantine so he could then move freely into the Sunshine State.

He said Spellbound, who has won three of her four starts at Melton since joining the team from New Zealand, would likely have one run in NSW before making the trip north.

“At this stage she will probably race at Menangle on Saturday week,” he said.

Purdon has Spellbound pinned for a two-start Queensland campaign, which includes the $100,000 Group 1 The Golden Girl at Albion Park on July 17.