Auckland Reactor, the four-year-old Mach Three pacing sensation from downunder, prevailed by a head in record time to take the $75,000 Gr II Sky City Waikato Flying Mile at Cambridge Raceway in New Zealand while maintaining a spotless record including 16 victories.
With trainer Mark Purdon in the bike, Auckland Reactor took early command of the field before giving way to Baileys Dream (Todd Mitchell) at the first quarter in :28.2. Auckland Reactor, who was hot on the helmet of Baileys Dream through the second quarter clocked in :29.1, popped the pocket after a :29 third quarter and took the lead. 'The Reactor' paced his heart out as he sprinted home holding off a late rush from Monkey King (Ricky May) for the win equaling Scuse Me's national mobile mile record of 1:53.2 set at Alexandra Park 11 years ago. Baileys Dream finished third.
"If I didn't hand up he could have gone 1:52 tonight. They really ground him into the dirt. It was his toughest performance yet. He didn't have much left. I'm so proud of him," Purdon told Harnesslink after the race.
In a touching gesture never before seen at the track, Purdon pulled Auckland Reactor alongside the front fence at Cambridge and let the crowd give the champ a congratulatory pat after the race. "This is a promoter's dream. What an absolutely fantastic horse. What a brilliant gesture," said the club's promotions manager Mike Weston.
Auckland Reactor has earned $641,428 for his connections including Canadian owners Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson.
The unstoppable champion will reportedly return to Cambridge Raceway for two more starts before gracing Addington Raceway with his presence at the end of the month.
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I have watched every race of
I have watched every race of the Beach and almost every race of Auckland.....In my opinion they really don't compare. The Beach has a much more flawless and powerful gait. If they were ever to race each other it would be like a prized boxing fight but they would have to stop it at the three quarter poll when the Beach draws off by five lengths!!! Jack
I can't believe that there
I can't believe that there wasn't an inquiry in this race. Monkey King was more than half way by Auckland Reactor going up the backside when he the latter came out of the pocket underneath him. Monkey King after being abruptly taken up, and clearly interfered with, comes back gamely to be beat by the smallest of margins. Thankfully, I had nothing at stake.
I have been following this
I have been following this freshly-turned four-year-old for the past year. Amazing. Sixteen wins in a row. Appx 650K of NZ monies. Recently purchased for $4 million by a Canadian group. This son of Mach Three consistently shows huge heart in closing from the back of the pack. Yet it is no simple task to compare the New Zealand harness racing format with our own North American version. Different racing surfaces, equipment used, distances, and so on. Nevertheless...the question arises...is Auckland Reactor in the same league as "the Beach"?
In reply to I have been following this by mark (not verified)
This horse is the best NZ
This horse is the best NZ has ever produced, and each season New Zealand's best are in my opinion up to the best worldwide. Sadly NZ's best seldom have an opportunity to race the USA best, while the NZ horses are at their peak. NZ champ Cardigan Bay showed, as an aged horse well past his best, he could beat Bret Hanover and others in USA. Auckland Reactor would in my opinion be at least the equal of the great USA champ Somebeach.....BUT perhaps it will be left to their respective future foals to take up the challenge to race against each other in the future.
In reply to I have been following this by mark (not verified)
Of course he is in the same
Of course he is in the same league mate my dad is a top driver in Canada and I lived with him for seven months an seen the Beach up close and personal an also was with Reactor last night when he won the mile there is no way our tracks are as fast. American race bikes would give a horse here two if not three seconds and the gear from there on is the same.
In reply to Of course he is in the same by Anonymous (not verified)
I think Auckland would for
I think Auckland would for sure be the closest competition to The Beach. It's almost impossible to compare though, if Beach went to NZ Auckland would smoke him probably and if Auckland came here I don't think he could compete with the sheer speed and grit of The Beach. Difficult comparisons, oh..and the Beach is a CANADIAN CHAMP, not USA.