This year has been one to remember for Dunn - for all the right reasons.
He ended the 2012-13 season with the country's best juvenile filly in Venus Serena, and he can now lay claim to training New Zealand's best 3yr-old male pacer after Tiger Tara's powerful win in the $165,000 Sires' Stakes Final at Addington yesterday.
''It's been a good year, mate,'' Dunn said, as he soaked up the atmosphere in the winner's circle before the presentation.
''You don't get much better than this. I love to win on cup day, especially a big race like this.''
Tiger Tara was competitive as a 2yr-old last season, but Dunn knew the best was yet to come after a chat with his breeder, Ray Anicich.
''The breeder was amazing - we had him racing as a 2yr-old and he [Anicich] said the breed does not go at 2 . . .
They've just got better and better.''
''He was strong last year and did some fantastic times, but he just strengthened up.''
Dunn emphasised the strength of the Bettor's Delight colt, who he races in partnership with long-time owners Bob and Jenny Sanford and John Gould.
Driver Gerard O'Reilly, who earned his first group 1 victory, sent the colt forward to take up the lead with just over a lap to go, but Dunn wasn't concerned as he worked to the lead.
''We knew he was going to have to do that but he did get a suck around them . . . . He's been able to explode with very fast quarters after doing a heap of work.
''He's just very tough - it's what you dream of getting. That's the big difference between a good horse and an ordinary horse, how tough they are.''
