Mighty mare Amazing Dream scored a decisive victory in the Gr.1 $250,000 TAB Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park last night (Saturday).
It was the third leg of the 2021 Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit and reigning champion and current leader King Of Swing was expected to dominate after landing this inside gate, sent off at odds of $1.22, the pre-race scripts were sent flying withing the first 200m of the 2680m mobile start feature.
Amazing Dream and Copy That both fired off the gate and challenged hard for the lead while King Of Swing was running up the track which enabled Turn It Up to sneak through along the inside as the first turn approached.
Ultimately, King Of Swing made a break which caused a chain reaction of interference and things got messy quickly.
Spirit Of St Louis, Jeradas Delight and Bundoran all copped heavy interference.
Amazing Dream fired to the lead before surrendering to Copy That shortly afterwards.
Emerging star Expensive Ego quickly moved up on the outside of Copy That while King Of Swing was able to reset and settle in the one out, one back position.
The lead time was covered in 77.8 seconds.
As Copy That looked to steady, Expensive Ego took a savage crack for the lead which left the big field of twelve runners covering plenty of ground.
The first quarter of the final mile was timed in an astonishing 27.9 seconds.
Copy That repelled the challenge from Expensive Ego but it left both pacers vulnerable.
Amazing Dream and driver Blair Orange sat on the back of Copy That and travelled smoothly while King Of Swing remained close by despite losing early ground.
The second quarter was timed in a more sedate 30 seconds.
Entering the back straight, Copy That and Expensive Ego again engaged in a tense struggle and the pressure really went on with the third split timed in 27.9 seconds.
Approaching the home turn, Copy That had Expensive Ego under pressure while Amazing Dream was ready to burst through via the sprint lane.
King Of Swing loomed deeper in the straight but Amazing Dream seized on the opportunity and raced through to strike the lead while King Of Swing and the fast-finishing Rockin Marty charged hard.
At the line, Amazing Dream ($61) scored by 1.25 metres from Rockin Marty ($151) while King Of Swing ($1.22 fav) was a further half neck away in third with Copy That finishing fourth.
The effort of King Of Swing under the circumstances was incredible.
But the plaudits go to the winner.
Amazing Dream becomes the first mare to win a Grand Circuit event on Australian soil since Baby Bling scored in the 2013 Miracle Mile while she becomes only the second mare to win the Sunshine State feature following Tailamade Lombo back in 2000.
It was a memorable highlight for leading New Zealand reinsman Blair Orange, his first major victory on Australian soil while young trainer Nathan Purdon continues to prove his worth as a leading conditioner.
“It’s a been a dream carnival and her victory is extra special, providing Blair with his biggest moment on Aussie soil is very thrilling,” Purdon said.
“She’s an unbelievable mare with a great fortitude, I thought she would play a hand in the finish once she secured the run she got. It proves there is no guarantees at this level of racing, it was extremely exciting and I’m sure her American owners would be particularly pleased.” He added.
The Bettors Delight – Christian Dreamer four-year-old boasts a record of 22 wins from 39 starts with earning more than $1.25 million.
The victory of Amazing Dream secured the maximum 100 points on offer and moves her into second behind King Of Swing (180) with the next leg of the series coming up on October 9, the Gr.1 $300,000 Pryde’s Easifeed Victoria Cup at Melton.
