Arafura Storms Home To Capture NZ Pacing Oaks

Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen won many Group Ones when training in partnership, and the pair reunited at Addington Raceway last Friday to add another elite-level victory to their tally.

Cullen, who now trains in partnership with his wife Amanda, called on the services of his old boss to drive his exciting filly Arafura (NZ) (Sweet Lou) in the Group One New Zealand Pacing Oaks (2600m) where they recaptured their glory of old.

Arafura took a solid formline into the race, having won one and placed in four of her five starts this preparation, including a last-start runner-up performance in the Group One Nevele R 3YO Fillies Final (1980m) on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington.

She returned to the Christchurch track last Friday where she was installed a $3.10 second favourite, and her supporters had their hearts in their mouths when she turned for home, with race favourite Captain Mistress shooting several lengths clear of her rivals.

While the task looked too great, Purdon was not deterred, and Arafura responded to his urgings in the concluding stages to reel in the leader and go on to score a half neck victory over Princess Gracy (NZ) (Sweet Lou).

It was a tough watch for Cullen, but he was ecstatic that they were able to get the result and go one better than her Group One placing last week.

“We have got a lot of time for this filly, she is just a wonderful horse,” Cullen said.

“We just fell short last Tuesday, but she went great all the same. There was a fair bit of wind out there tonight to deal with so Mark played the patient game and they ended up going hard enough in front and she was good enough to come over the top of them.”

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Arafura is out of four-win Bettor’s Delight mare Spirit Of Delight, a full-sister to Group One performer Bettor Spirits, Group Three winner Spirit Of ANZAC, and half-sister to Spirit Of Art, the dam of multiple Group One winner Spirit Of Louis and Group Three winner Dracarys.

Arafura was offered through Woodlands Stud’s 2023 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Diamond Racing Stables for $55,000.

Raced by McKerrow Bloodstock Limited and Rakino Divestments Limited, Arafura has now won four, including two at Group One level, and placed in seven of her 16 starts, and has earned more than $300,000 in prizemoney.

Vendor	Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd
Purchaser	Diamond Racing Stables Ltd
Owner(s)	McKerrow Bloodstock Limited, Rakino Divestments Limited
Breeding	Sweet Lou - Spirit Of Delight
Sale	2023 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Auckland ($55,000)
Breeder(s)	Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd