Fans adored Auckland Reactor on Friday as they watched him score win number 17 in the $40,000 Ambreed Cambridge Classic (2,200m) at Cambridge Raceway in New Zealand.
The son of Mach Three-Atomic Lass used a front-end trip to get the job done for his connections including Canadian owners Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson.
"I have to admit it was pretty easy tonight," trainer/driver Mark Purdon told the Waikato Times. "Once we got to the lead he did the rest pretty comfortably. I let him do what he had to do. It's not all about breaking records week in week out with him. I'm just happy to win."
With a perfect record, The Reactor has developed quite the fan following. Not only did the four-year-old bay receive applause from the crowd as he entered onto the track, he also put on a little pre-show for a gathering of supporters before the race who watched Purdon gear up his horse. Purdon also walked Auckland Reactor alongside the rail after the race for the second time allowing adoring fans to touch the superstar.
"I set a precedent last week and I'll do the same next week because he's the people's horse and the people deserve to get up close and personal with him," said Purdon. "He's given me the happiest times of my harness racing career and if I can share it with the people well and good."
Fans can catch The Reactor's next showing in the Gr II $60,000 Futurity Stakes with a standing start (2,700m) next Friday at Cambridge Raceway.
To watch the video of Friday's race, click here.
(With files from the Waikato Times)
Great to see, the horse
Great to see, the horse looks great in the photo, congrats to all the canadian conections