Racing: Dunn strikes with seven wins

Dexter Dunn.
Dexter Dunn.
Any driver not named Dexter Dunn might be in for a long winter at Forbury Park, judging by last night.

Dunn, the winner of the last seven national drivers' premiership and a lock for his eighth when the season ends on July 31, scooped up seven wins last night as he continued his fine form over the winter months in Dunedin.

His haul brought him level with Doug Watts, who drove seven winners from eight drives at Reefton in February 1954 and Tony Herlihy, who drove seven winners from 11 drives at Alexandra Park in October 2001, including a dead heat in the last race.

Yes, all seven horses were sent out favourite - although Bono Hest contested favouritism with Golden Gate in race 7 - but the totalisator price on a pacer or trotter inevitably tightens when Dunn picks up the drive - especially at Forbury Park.

And the fear factor was evident in one race at least when Ask Me Art delivered a comfortable win for West Melton trainer Michael House and owner John Rennie in the 2200m c0 mobile pace.

Dunn got away with some soft sectionals in the first half of the last mile, including one 400m split of more than 34sec.

Ask Me Art had been getting ''better and better'' with trials and workouts experience, stable forewoman Tania Moore said.

Dunn added wins with Ultimate Desire and Regal Ideal to move to 168 season wins.

He then unleashed Aveross Rustler to win the 1200m sprint heat in 1.24.02 and went back-to-back for Burnham trainer Andrew Faulks when Bono Hest prevailed in the c1-c2 trot.

Dunn moved to six wins when he provided a second win for John Rennie through Ask Me Mach and made it seven, when he led all the way with Mach Time.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mike Love earned his first career win when Highview Anwell squeezed up the passing lane to win the c3-c6 pace.

Love (32) has been helping Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson since last year.

''It doesn't seem real at the moment,'' Love said.

Highview Anwell bounced back after being outgunned in the 4 and 5yr-old championship early last month, and Love said the 5yr-old was full of running.

''He was going good the whole way. He needed an improved run tonight and he definitely improved. I didn't turn the stick or pull the plugs.''

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