News

The last week has been a busy one for the stable who were represented at 3 venues, Winton, Ashburton and Waikouaiti.

After a couple of relatively quiet weeks, the Robert Dunn stable runners are out in force again this weekend. The stable will be fielding runners on feature races at both Ashburton and Waikouaiti.

The stable have 4 runners in the Waitangi Day Amberley meeting held on the grass at Rangiora.

The Ian Dobson owned and Robert Dunn trained, Return To Sender looked in top order for upcoming assignments at today's Rangiora workouts. The impeccably bred colt, Mach Three - Mainland Banner was having his first public workout since a brief Auckland campaign over in December.

Both Surfin Swift and Kabet showed that they are well on song ahead of next week's target, the Nevele R fillies heat at Ashburton. Surfin Swift which had proven somewhat of a handful in her first campaign hit out impressively today after assuming the lead early on. John was able to dictate

After an already busy week of racing, Sunday is definitely not a day off for the stable this week. With workouts at both Mt Hutt and Rangiora and stable runners at both it will test the stable staff.

This week is one of the rare occasions when we have trotting meetings four days in a row in the South. The Robert Dunn stable will be well represented, with 8 horses going to the races and a further 10 to workouts and trials.

This Friday sees the return of premier racing to Addington with 1 listed race and 3 races at group level. At listed level is the PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Pace for the 3yr old fillies over 1950m. Favouritism for this event is likely to be shared by Delightful Christian from the North Island who has drawn the coveted pole position and Rozelski from the Mark Purdon stable.

Nth Island junior reinsman Josh Dickie will make a rare foray to Forbury Park, this Thursday. In what is the last qualifying "boys" race for the Australasian Junior champs, Dickie will drive Better Than Money for the stable and has struck gold with the draw, drawing 1. It is make or break time for Dickie who needs to finish 1st or 2nd to take the North Island qualifying spot. Dickie the 2011 Australasian Junior driving champion has a good record at Forbury, with his four drives previously

R4 Kotare Kano - "Can win IF it wants to. Will go forward and dictate."
R7 Better Than Money - "Draw wee bit of a worry over short course. Has worked well and with right run can place."
R10 Formidable - "Freshened after going super at coast. Maybe a run short, but great place chance".
R12 Cabo Wabo - "Had no hope from draw Thursday and will again need luck to feature."
R12 Cullen's Spirit - "Drawn to trail Franco Nattai and good enough to run 2nd".

On a low key Addington night, the Robert Dunn stable and driver John Dunn were to the fore with 2 wins from 5 runners. John's first win on the night came on 3yr old Falcon Seelster filly Dalness. After a perfect drive, she came over the top of her opposition to win comfortably by 1/2 length. In the main race of the night Radar was too good for a handy field winning his 6th race from 35 starts. Samuel James ran home gamely from his tough mark. The stable are now up to 49 wins for the season.

In Dexter's absence John heads south with a good book of drives for Invercargill Cup Day. He has 8 drives and his best chances would appear to be Justalittlebettor in the fillies heat, the ever consistent Compton Street in R10 and probably his best drive Supersub R12. Artiface should also be accorded some hope in the Grp 3 3200m Invercargill Cup.

R1 - Escape the Fate. "Disappointing last week. A gear change this week and he is handily drawn in an even field".
R3 - Dalness. "A much improved run last week. If she gets a good drag into the race can place again".
R6 - Cabo Wabo. "Will need luck from the draw in a race with some nice 3 yr olds."
R7 - Radar and Samuel James. "I was happy with Radar's run last week. He's trained on well and I expect another nice run. Samuel finally relaxed last week and hopefully produces a good run again."