Sir Lincoln, driven by Maurice McKendry, wins the Sires Stakes Series Final. Photo / Simon Baker
Mark Purdon has no regrets.
Even after Auckland Reactor tore the record book to pieces in a lowly support race at Addington yesterday, trainer Purdon is adamant his decision to bypass the New Zealand Cup was the right one.
Purdon dodged the cup because of the standing start, which Auckland
Reactor now seems to hate, rather than just mildly dislike.
"We did the right thing, even though maybe he could have won the Cup. He is too valuable to risk and we simply don't know what would happen in a standing start. The horse has to come first," said Purdon.
Auckland Reactor usually does come first, too, and he did so in stunning fashion yesterday, smashing the national 1950m record without reaching top gear. He rated a 1:53.7 mile rate and set himself up to repeat his New Zealand Free-For-All victory of last season this Friday.
But that could be his last start on his home track, with the Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup in Australia beckoning and then his connections have to decide whether to send him to North America or set him for the Interdominions.
While Auckland Reactor and a record-equalling Highview Tommy helped set Purdon up for a potentially epic day it went off the rails in the $200,000 Sires' Stakes Final.
His hot favourite Kotare Mach pulled his head off in the group one sprint and compounded on the home turn, costing punters a fortune.
That left the race at the mercy of West Auckland pacer Sir Lincoln, who overcame the worst draw and having to sit parked to explode clear at the top of the straight.
The win confirmed trainer Ray Green's opinion Sir Lincoln may be the best horse he has trained and was great reward for huge-spending owners John Street and Graeme Blackburn.
The other highlight of the day was Speculate also overcoming a poor draw to win the Trotting Free-For-All, setting up a clash with Springbank Richard in Friday's Dominion Handicap.
Sovereignty, a luckless fourth yesterday, looms as the only other winning chance in the Dominion.
Yesterday's meeting drew over 22,000 fans for a turnover of over $2 million on-course and past $4 million off-course.
