The superstars of New Zealand pacing will have to wait a week longer to start their Australian raids.
Akuta and Dont Stop Dreaming were scheduled to fly to Melbourne on January 10 but that will be delayed until January 17 after Dont Stop Dreaming was slightly jarred up after his win in Sunday’s Franklin Cup at Alexandra Park.
“It is nothing serious but we will keep them in Auckland for a week and they can go a week later,” says co-trainer Mark Purdon.
The change is unlikely to affect their racing programmes as both pacers were most likely to make their Australian debuts on January 20 anyway and that remains the plan, with the Ballarat Cup the aim.
They will then be split for the biggest night in Victorian harness racing on February 3 when Akuta will contest the $500,000 A. G. Hunter Cup, but Dont Stop Dreaming will likely be aimed at the $75,000 COGS Services 4YO Bonanza. Winning that four-year-old race would qualify him for the $250,000 Chariots Of Fire at Menangle on March 2.
