Auckland Reactor broke a New Zealand national record at Addington Raceway on Monday and gave Christchurch racegoers a reminder of his true ability
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Auckland Reactor blitzed seven rivals in the $40,000 junior-free-for-all by five lengths. Trainer/driver Mark Purdon took him to the lead early, increased the tempo at the 900m and again at the 400m, with his rivals vanquished in the distance. Fake Chance was a game second, with Smoke N Mirrors more than five lengths back in third.
The time was a sizzling 2:17.8, which was a half of a second better than the record set by three-year-old Stunin Cullen at Addington last year. The mile rate was a scorching 1:53.7, with the last 800m in :54.8 and 400m in 26.9.
Purdon had said before the race he was not out for any records, but the effortlessness of Auckland Reactor may have fooled him.
"I reckon it's like driving a real nice car - sometimes you look at the speed and you might be doing 140 or 150 and that is how this fellow feels," he said after the race. "He's a wonderful horse and I think everyone appreciates him."
Friday's $250,000 FFA will probably be Auckland Reactor's last race in Canterbury. He is expected to gain an invitation to the $500,000 Miracle Mile and is then likely to contest the $400,000 Victoria Cup in Melbourne on December 11.
After that the connections of the pacer will have to choose between contesting Grand Circuit races in Australia, culminating in the $1 million Interdominion final on March 7, and then the $500,000 Auckland Cup on March 12, or heading to the United States.
Auckland Reactor's owners include Canadians Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson.
(with files from NZPA)