Two former Southerners are among a strong line-up reinsman John Dunn drives at tonight’s premier Addington meeting.
Pacers Captain Dolmio and The Honey Badger have both found their way into Dunn’s training care after beginning their careers in Southland.
Dunn is the South Island manager of his father, Robert’s, training operation.
Captain Dolmio has his second official start from the stable tonight. The pacer had previously been in Dunn’s care for short stints when he was trained in Gore by Matt Brinsdon.
If the 5yr-old can produce an effort as good as his first start for his new stable, he will be more than competitive tonight. Captain Dolmio set the pace in front in Classie Brigade’s jaw-droppingly fast 3200m Invercargill Cup win. The run took its toll but he was fully recovered and his work had been "spot on" leading into tonight’s race, John Dunn said.
While Classie Brigade was too good at Invercargill, Captain Dolmio gets his chance for redemption when they meet again in tonight’s group 3 Summer Cup, race 7.
Tonight the pair revert to mobile racing and Captain Dolmio has won the first battle in drawing barrier 3 ahead of Classie Brigade’s barrier 6.
"He has great gate speed, which is a big plus. But he has won some good races from behind, so it gives me a few options."
The pair may have another challenge on their hands if Christen Me is back on top of his game.
He was a shock failure in behind Captain Dolmio and Classie Brigade after working mid-race in the record-breaking Invercargill race. Tonight’s event is not just a two-horse race. Third, fourth and fifth placegetters from the Invercargill Cup in Maverick, Mossdale Conner and Motu Premier all line up as well. The Honey Badger went one better than Captain Dolmio in his first outing for the Dunn stable.
After two wins as a 2yr-old when trained by Tony Stratford, the 3yr-old grabbed his third win at Rangiora, fresh up for his new trainers.
"He won really good last start after getting attacked."
The Somebeachsomewhere pacer faces tougher opposition tonight in race 8 but Dunn thinks he can still be competitive.
"It is a very good field. It will be a good test, to see where we are at with him. As long as he steps and and is not slow away, he will be thereabouts."
Dunn has a host of chances from his stable throughout tonight’s card and a shot at feature race glory with a North Island raider.
He steers the Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick-trained Better B Amazed in the group 2 Premier Mares Championship, race 10.
"She has got to be a great chance, even from a bad draw."
Other features on tonight’s card include the group 3 Summer Trotting Free for all featuring Master Lavros. Also, Spanish Armada takes on only four other opponents in the listed NZ Yearling Sales 3yo Fillies Final.
- Jonny Turner
