It was once again, pure brilliance shown by Auckland Reactor as he powered home at Addington on Saturday to win the inaugural $75,000 United Fisheries Summer Cup
. Only a week earlier, ‘The Reactor’ was off racing duty since returning home after his gutsy performance in the Jardine Bloodstock Futurity Stakes. However driver and co-trainer, Mark Purdon was thoroughly impressed with the champion pacer on his return that he knew he had it in him to compete.
With a strong field lined up, Auckland Reactor took charge of the race from the get-go, setting the pace with Awesome Ambro following his lead the entire way. Monkey King sat near the rear of the pack, before making his move along the back straight. However they were no match for Auckland Reactor who sped home, completing the last 800m in a dazzling 54.7s. Finshing second, only half-a-length behind was Awesome Armbro, with Monkey King two-and-a-half-lengths back in third.
With the Auckland Cup in his sights, Mark Purdon is continuing on with the original racing schedule, competing in the City of Auckland Free-For-All on the 27th of February and then the Cup on the 6th of March.
With 18 wins now from 19 starts and stakes of $715,748, Auckland Reactor is continuing to prove that he is stand out champ with a massive future ahead of him. A win for his connections - including Canadian owners Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson - in the Auckland Cup would make Auckland Reactor the fastest millionaire in Australasian harness racing.
To view the race replay, click here. You must have a media player like Windows Media Player installed to view the video.
(with files from HRNZ)