By Tayler Strong
It is near enough to a certainty that ace reinsman Dexter Dunn will win his 200th race for the season at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
Dunn, who is on 199 wins, has a full book of drives on the 11-race card – Lord Roydon, Time Traveller, Essence of Easton, Hengroen, Courageous Becqui, Last Party, Pat Campbell, Audi Hare, Another Delight, Royal Jester and Elusive Flight.
Courageous Becqui could be the best of them. She won first up at Forbury Park on May 11. She was the beaten favourite in her subsequent start at Rangiora.
Audi Hare has been minor placed in his last two starts at Forbury. He was beaten a neck over 1200m last time after disputing the pace.
Royal Jester was a winner there on June 1. Lord Roydon finished second the same night. Another Delight was a last start third at Invercargill.
Time Traveller was a trial winner at Rangiora last week.
Dunn has not missed driving a winner in the 12 meetings he has attended at Forbury Park this season with a four-race haul his best effort on a night.
Machie Mach could be a formidable rival for Royal Jester in race 10.
Machie Mach, with 13 wins on the board, is away ahead of his rivals in terms of success.
The 7-year-old won last time out at Invercargill on June 5 and he won a double at Forbury Park in April.
Blair Orange, who drove Machie Mach to win twice at Forbury Park in the winter of 2015 replaces Dunn.
Jonny Cox, who drove Machie Mach in his April wins, is committed to Franco Saxon, a dashing winner at the Rangiora trials last week. Cox received a warning over the racing manners of Franco Saxon after the 4-year-old was pulled up at his last start on May 26. Franco Saxon left stride at the 1300m.
Sundons Flyer (race 9) is back at Forbury Park with an additional owner. Barrie Barber, of Karitane (Otago) has joined trainer Bruce Negus and John Gledhill in the ownership of the 4-year-old mare. She did not figure in the outcome of the trotting section of the Harness Jewels but has raced generously this season for wins at Forbury Park, Waikouaiti and Reefton and seven seconds.
“Barrie had young horses but he wanted something racing,’’ said Negus, who had an association with Barber through Quick As A Trick and Delightful Dash.
Negus was then based at Waikouaiti. Quick As A Trick was sold to Greg Brodie after he qualified as a 2-year-old. He won a Green Mile at Methven and Central Otago Cup and has won in North America.
Delightful Dash was trained by Negus for five of her 11 wins in New Zealand.
Pat Campbell, a stablemate of Sundons Flyer, has had a veterinary clearance after suffering an atrial fibrillation at her last start on May 19. “We are trying her over 1200m and hoping she will perform,” said Negus.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
