Racing: Champion ends campaign perfectly

The cheers of the Auckland Reactor army drowned out the real emotion surrounding the champ's win at Ashburton on Saturday.

Because what you didn't hear was the collective sign of relief.

A sigh from trainer Mark Purdon that he had negotiated the final obstacle of a remarkable, taxing season in effortless fashion.

A sigh from his owners, some as far away as Canada, that their investment is holding its value in an era when most are not.

And a sigh of relief from almost every administrator planning a serious race in Australasia next season.

That sigh was because the dream of a hero, a horse to bring people back to the track, is still alive.

For all his magnificence this season, Auckland Reactor still has a target on his back.

When you are touted, so prematurely, as the next Cardigan Bay, anything but victory is unacceptable.

Auckland Reactor's first defeat at Cambridge in January was simply another bad luck, standing-start story.

You could make a case that his dual defeats at the Interdominions in Australia were also luckless, but Aussie judges are brutal and breeders have long memories when forking out for their stallion fees.

But being almost beaten by an intermediate-grade pacer in Ohoka Dallas in the Messenger on May 1 meant he went into Saturday needing to readjust the crown upon his head.

Defeat would have stilted future mainstream media coverage and put a spoke in the wheels of the hype machine. After all, poster boys are only sexy when the posters show them winning.

So this stroll around in the Ashburton sunshine, topped off with a 25.4 second-last 400m, was perfect. With a spell to put some muscle on his streamlined frame, Auckland Reactor will come back stronger, hopefully, mentally as well as physically.

If he can do that, and more important, learn to step well from a standing start, his options are almost endless. Cups, Miracle Miles, Interdominions and records await, as does North America with its own examinations of a horse's fortitude.

And after that a stud career that could range from ground-breakingly popular to nicely commercial.

With those long-terms goals in mind, Saturday's race proved and added nothing.

But most important, Auckland Reactor didn't lose anything. And at the end of a punishing season, that will do nicely.

GREAT DAY FOR STABLE

Mark Purdon's three Jewels winners on Saturday capped an incredibly lucrative season.

As well as Auckland Reactor, he and training partner Greg Payne prepared Joyfuljoy and Pocaro to lead almost throughout in their divisions.

That took their stable to $3.3 million in stakes for the season, over $1 million more than any stable has ever won in New Zealand before.

It comes from 106 wins, a personal best for Purdon at an incredible strike rate of .4107.

"It has been a great season," he said, "and I'm proud of what we have achieved."