This Dream Princess is the heir apparent

Race nine at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night was the final race on a big harness racing card and short priced favourite Our Dream About Me won the second heat of the NSW Oaks. While the victory itself was expected, as the filly is yet to taste defeat, the closing sectionals the daughter of Bettor's Delight ran were something out of the 'Twilight Zone'.

At the end of 2400 metres, Our Dream About Me reeled off a personal last half of 52.53. For those not accustomed to the Menangle sectionals that is literally 'low flying'. Only three other horses broke 54 seconds for their final 800 metres on Saturday night. Sophies Ideal ran home in 53.93 when finishing 7th in the Robin Dundee Classic, while Rocknroll Music (53.33) and Gina Grace (53.91) competed against Our Dream About Me and were both brave in defeat.

However, comparing the times to the Chariots Of Fire meeting makes for even more compelling reading. The conditions at Menangle for the Chariots program were ideal for fast times. It was still and hot and the times reflected the perfect conditions.

The Chariots Of Fire was won by Have Faith In Me in 1:48.8 and here are the closing halves for the three horses that broke 54 seconds.

Have Faith In Me 53.36

Lord Zin Zan 53.92

Arms Of An Angel 52.73

Two qualifiers of the Miracle Mile were also run at the meeting. Here is a list of horses that broke 54 seconds.

Cordina Sprint

Monifieth 52.86

My Hard Copy 53.33

Coca Cola Amatil Sprint

Beautide 53.60

Blazin N Cullen 53.26

Easy On The Eye 53.63

Major Crocker 53.94

Our Hi Jinx 53.51

Suave Stuey Lombo 53.91

Cold Major 53.75

Not only is Our Dream About Me giving age away to all of the horses mentioned above but she also had to race over 2400 metres compared to the Chariots, Cordina and Coca Cola Amatil Sprints being contested over the 1609 metres.

She is bred to be a star – her older half brother Christen Me has already won the Chariots/Miracle Mile double and Our Dream About Me's mother Splendid Dreams is a sister to Adore Me and Have Faith In Me.

A win in Sunday's NSW Oaks would see Our Dream About Me's prizemoney go past $550,000, a remarkable achievement for a filly that will have only raced on twelve occasions.

For the sake of the harness racing 'kingdom' let's hope this Princess ascends to the throne and continues to compete for seasons to come.

Greg Hayes