Dream Lifter could back up in Colonel Reeves

Star Albany sprinter Dream Lifter resumed in impressive fashion, finishing third in the $150,000 Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) at Ascot on Saturday as he eyes a tilt towards the $1 million Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes next month.

Trained locally by Paul Hunter, Dream Lifter jumped well to settle fourth for jockey Mitchell Pateman in running and chased leaders Potent Secret, Caipirinha and It’s It approaching the home corner.

The eight-year-old Danehill Express gelding hit top gear in the straight as he went past the leading trio but was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Dainty Tess and Profit Street, nearing the line to claim third place, beaten by only half a length.

Among the initial entries for the Winterbottom Stakes on December 2, Dream Lifter could now possibly line up in the $150,000 Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) on November 18.

“He peaked on his run a bit and had to cart the others up to them,” Hunter said.

“But we were really pleased with him. He was pretty brave over the 1000m.

“He has pulled up good. We’ll let him tell us when he’s ready but the Colonel Reeves is a chance.

“It may be a bit close but we’ll nominate him and see what happens.”

Fellow local runner Mr Utopia, trained by Steve Wolfe, dwelt at the start, losing two lengths but was charging home late to finish in sixth place, three lengths off the winner.

The winner of 10 career races and almost $450,000 in prize money clocked the fastest final 600m sectional of the race in 33.33 seconds.

Potent Secret was ridden aggressively from the outset by jockey Andrew Castle and sped along up front before fading badly to run last in the field of nine.