Celebrity Dream (NZ) Defends Jungle Dawn Title

Karaka graduate Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) defended her title in the A$100,000 Listed Ascend Sales-Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday, lifting her tally of career black-type victories to four.

With champion Perth jockey William Pike in the saddle, the $260,000 Premier Sale purchase raced in third position in the 11-horse field before asserting her superiority in the straight and winning by a length.

Pike is a big believer in Celebrity Dream’s ability, but he admitted that a deviation from her come-from-behind style had caused him some concern.

“I definitely thought she was capable, but I was worried when she landed so close,” he said.

Trained by Adam Durant for Perth racing’s powerhouse owners Peters Investments Pty Ltd, Celebrity Dream has now had 20 starts for nine wins, six placings and A$453,250 in prize-money – almost double her purchase price.

In addition to her two Jungle Dawn Classic victories, Celebrity Dream has also scored stakes wins in the Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1600m) and Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m).

Bred by Garry Cranny, Frantic Bloodstock Ltd and Haunui Bloodstock Ltd, Celebrity Dream is a daughter of the Red Ransom mare Valpolicella (NZ), winner of three races including the Group 3 Manawatu Classic and Listed Champagne Stakes.

Valpolicella is the dam of four foals to race, three of them winners and three of them stakes winners. Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) won the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic, Group 3 Counties Cup and Group 3 Waikato Cup, while Vilanova (NZ) (Commands) won the Group 2 Autumn Classic, Group 3 Grand Prix, Listed Tattersalls Club Cup and Listed Star Way Stakes.