This year’s inductees were announced at Addington Raceway on Friday 16 September 2022 as part of the twentieth Canterbury Owners and Breeders Night.
Following on from the induction of his youngest son Dexter into the Addington Harness Hall Of Fame in October 2020, Robert Dunn is the latest horseperson together with two time NZ Cup winner Just An Excuse to be inducted into the Addington Harness Hall of Fame.
Robert Dunn –
Following a season in which he attained his second consecutive training premiership (second in previous six seasons) and after recently having passed 1,800 training wins, induction into the Addington Harness Hall of Fame is the latest honour bestowed on horseman Robert Dunn.
The Dunn name has been to the forefront in the Canterbury area and is now into its third generation of industry involvement. Brother Geoff, sons John and Dexter together with grandson Jacob have all played their part in the region and New Zealand’s trotting history.
Robert’s father Allan was a publican in Wellington who raced good gallopers Shantung and Suttle before purchasing pacer Bound To Be with Robert in the sulky won six races before being exported to North America.
An elite level horseman for nearly five decades, Robert’s career commenced after his family moved to Christchurch and at age sixteen he began by assisting Basil Lynskey. At seventeen, after joining Kevin Ryder’s stable he accompanied horses to the USA staying for ten months working for Kumeu trainer Don Hayes at Monticello raceway. Robert returned there during the 2011 World Drivers Championships.
On returning to NZ he spent a further ten months with Jack Smolenski before moving to Jim Dalgety’s stables (both Addington Harness Hall of Fame inductees). His driving career commenced during the 1972/3 season when having five drives which included his first win on Gigi Lamour at Hutt Park on 27 February 1973. In five seasons as a junior driver he saluted the judge on twenty six occasions with Jim Dalgety providing him with the opportunity to partner Bolton Byrd in nine of his ten career wins (five at Addington). These included his first Group One** equivalent victories when still a junior driver in the 1975 Great Northern Derby and 1976 Auckland Cup as a twenty two year old (twenty fifth win as a junior driver).
** Group race system – stakes based system first introduced in 1979/80 season.
Robert Dunn’s driving stats :
An accomplished driver continuing until the 2001/1 season, Robert’s best season was 1990/91 with thirty six victories, placing him seventeenth on the leading drivers listing.
New Zealand – total of 310 wins/21 trotters (108 at Addington); stake earnings of NZ$2.464m. He drove six Group One winners (Master Musician four, National Glory, Lyndon Robert; five of them at Addington) plus another three Group One equivalent wins prior to the Group Race categories being introduced in 1979/80 (Bolton Byrd – GN Derby/Auckland Cup; Lady’s Rule NZ Oaks)
Australia – total of 18 wins (A$663,249) including Victoria Cup (final and prelude), Hunter Cup, ID heats (Albion Park; Gloucester Park two), all with Master Musician
Commencing as a trainer in the 1977/8 season Robert branched out on his own shortly after leaving Jim Dalgety’s. Over the years his training establishments have been located at West Melton, Broadfield and latterly at Woodend Beach together with his satellite stable in Auckland utilising the Auckland TC’s Franklin Park complex at Pukekohe. Currently he operates a dual stable training regime being based at Pukekohe himself with son John running the Woodend Beach operation.
In his inaugural season as a public trainer (1977/78), he trained twenty winners, including Lady’s Rule win in the NZ Oaks and Silky Wave in the Leonard Memorial. Best season of training wins to date was 2020/1 (124 wins), one of five seasons to attain a century of wins. Currently sitting fourth on the all-time list behind the Purdon trio of Barry (2,602), Mark (2,450) and Roy (2,020) and well clear of Roy and Barry Purdon (1,463) and Cran Dalgety (1,332) who is sixth on the list.
A skilful trainer, Robert notched his fifteen hundredth training success during the 2019/2020 season with a stable trifecta in the PGG Wrightson All Aged Classic on Kaikoura Cup day -Heisenberg, Stars Tonight and Franco Niven). In the previous race he had trained Classie Brigade to win the Kaikoura Cup (win 1,499) while he completed a trifecta of wins in the following race won by another stable representative Jay Tee Tyron (win 1,501).
Robert Dunn’s training stats :
New Zealand – total of 1,809 (659 Addington) made up of 1,692 on his own, five with Paul Black (partnership 1983/4 season) and one hundred and twelve with son John’s wife Jenna over the past two seasons for stake earnings of NZ$22.266m. Included in these 1,800+ training wins are four instances of five winners on a race day : a) Nelson TC, 24 October 1989 b) Nelson HRC 5 January 2014 c) Marlborough HRC 10 January 2014 d) Marlborough HRC 21 January 2018
Australia – total of 26 wins (A$922,574) including Bathurst Gold Crown, Cranbourne Cup, Victoria/Hunter Cups, ID heats (Albion Park, Gloucester Park two), all with Master Musician
In NZ, Robert has trained the winners of twenty nine Group One races, twelve of which have been at Addington – Sundees Son (11), Master Musician (5), Mainland Banner (5), Franco Nelson, Elios, National Glory, Lyndon Robert, Time To Fly, Yankee Dream, Need You Now, Highgrove incorporating feature races including NZ Cup (Mainland Banner), NZ Derby/Auckland/Easter Cup (Master Musician), Dominion Hcp/National Trot/Rowe Cup twice, ANZAC Cup three times (Sundees Son), Sires Stakes, NZ Oaks, Breeders Stakes, Taylor Mile, NZ Messenger, Jewels, NZ Trotting Championship, Northern Trotting Derby.
In Australia, his two group one training wins came with Master Musician in the Victoria and Hunter Cups.
Robert Dunn will forever be synonymous with the “Master”, Master Musician. Training him throughout his career and driving him in many of his victories, Master Musician’s record showed twenty one NZ victories, 1:54.0 (Robert driver on fifteen occasions, three Group Ones, ten wins at Addington, six Alexandra Park) with a further thirteen victories in Australia, 1:56.6 (drove in nine AUS wins; one win at Harold Park/Cranbourne; two at Albion Park/Gloucester Park; three at Bathurst; four at Moonee Valley). Master Musician was the winner of four ID heats (Addington, Albion Park, Gloucester Park two) and third in Perth Pacers Grand Final.
Master Musician was placed second in NZ Cup/FFA twice, Easter Cup, Victoria/Hunter Cups, Truer Memorial twice, Australian Pacing Championship; third in NZ/Auckland/Easter Cups, Hunter Cup, Miracle Mile (also fourth); two, three and five year and older Pacer of Year, millionaire $1.926m.
Latterly, the incredible trotting performances of millionaire Sundees Son($1.218m) has maintained Robert’s pre-eminent position amongst NZ trainers – thirty two wins, eleven Group Ones, nineteen wins at Addington, nine wins at Alexandra Park, T1:56.4 (2200m Alexandra Park), also placed second NZ Trotting Championship (twice), Lyell Creek Stakes with thirds in Northern Trotting Derby and Rowe Cup, numerous NZ records, twice Trotter of Year, Harness Horse of Year and Australasian Trotting Masters (Grand Circuit) Champion.
The pinnacle of success in NZ harness racing was achieved with Mainland Banner’s victory in the 2005 NZ Cup with Robert as trainer (driver Ricky May’s third NZ Cup winner).
It is impossible to list and name all of Robert’s major winners in his driving or training capacity, but mention must be made of these – Master Musician, Mainland Banner, Sundees Son, Highgrove, Bolton Byrd, Burlington Bertie, Lady’s Rule, National Glory, Lyndon Robert, Defoe, Alta Orlando, Henry Hubert, Classie Brigade, Time To Fly, Yankee Dream, Elios, Franco Nelson, No Doctor Needed, Valloria, Lestspendanitetogetha, Spellbound, Heisenberg, Pankys Pacer, Late Lustre …. plus many other notables.
N.B. : stats to 11 September 2022
JUST AN EXCUSE
The eighth millionaire pacer to win the New Zealand Cup, Just An Excuse (“Lordie”) was a winner on both sides of the Tasman. One of just fourteen horses to have twice won NZ’s most prestigious race for pacers (2003, 2004) while placing third in the 2005 edition. The three, three time winners are all inductees of the Addington Harness Hall Of Fame – namely Indianapolis, False Step and Terror To Love.
Just An Excuse sired by first season Die Laughing stallion, Live Or Die (1:51.4US) was the sixth foal from the race winning mare My Excuse (Smooth Fella/Good Excuse), 2:03.7, bred by John Curtin and Sandy Yarndley. This is the NZ family of Millie C which has left four NZ Cup winners to date – being Marlene, Thunder, Just An Excuse twice.
My Excuse the dam of eight winners (third dam of Bettor Enforce 1:48.9) for breeders Ollie and Irene Haines – two winners bred in conjunction with Ricky and Janet Larsen. Owner-breeder Ollie Haines once described My Excuse as a “bl…y nutter”. Haines, an administrator, owner, breeder also a steward, committee member, vice President and President for three years at Cambridge Raceway and part of the Harness Racing New Zealand Executive for nearly a decade. The Haines had previously raced classy filly Smooth Performer winner of NZ/Waikato Oaks, Nevele R Fillies and Ladyship Stakes.
Key facts concerning Just An Excuse’s career :
- Winner of sixteen races and placed on fourteen occasions in NZ (from thirty five starts), four wins at Addington (nine Alexandra Park, three Cambridge), $944,068, 1:55.6NZ; one win (Ballarat) and once placed from four races in Australia, A$91,000, 2:02.5AUS; millionaire, total earnings of $1,035,068 accumulated over five seasons of racing
- Leading 4yo H&G pacing stake earner for 2002/03 ($197,597)
- Leading 5yo+ H&G pacing stake earner for 2003/04 ($274,222)
- Eleventh (of thirteen) dual winners of NZ Cup in alphabetical order – Ahuriri, Flashing Red, Harold Logan, Haughty, Highland Fling, Il Vicolo, Just An Excuse, Lazarus, Lordship, Lucky Jack, Peter Bingen, Reta Peter, Wildwood Junior
- First NZ Cup/FFA double in same year (2004) since Christian Cullen in 1998 and twenty seventh since it was first achieved in 1918 by Author Dillon. Others were Peter Bingen (1928), Harold Logan (1931), Red Shadow (1933), Indianapolis (1935), Josedale Grattan (1941), Highland Fling (1948), Johnny Globe (1954), Lookaway (1957), False Step (1960), Lordship (1962), Cardigan Bay (1963), Robalan (1974), Lunar Chance (1975), Trusty Scott (1978), Lord Module (1979), Hands Down (1980), Armalight (1981), Bonnie’s Chance (1982), Master Mood (1986), Christopher Vance (1991), Blossom Lady (1992), Chokin (1993), Bee Bee Cee (1994), Il Vicolo (1995) and Christian Cullen (1998). Since Just An Excuse only Monkey King (2009, 2010), and Lazarus (2017) have completed the double
- NZ Cup sequence :
at 5 : 2003 defeated Elsu and Jack Cade
at 6 : 2004 defeated Elsu and Howard Bromac
at 7 : 2005 third to Mainland Banner and Alta Serena
- Five Group One’s, two Group Two’s and two Group Three’s (including Ballarat Cup in Australia) plus Listed race
- Four year old entire or gelding of year, Aged entire or gelding of year
- NZ Trotting Hall Of Fame inductee
Just An Excuse was trained throughout his career by Robert Mitchell at Raglan and driven in all his races by his son Todd “The Wizard” Mitchell. With a club foot as a weanling attempts to sell him were unsuccessful so the Haines decided to race him. Beginning as a three year old he was unbeaten in three starts (2001/2002) winning his debut at Cambridge by nine lengths and two further successes at Alexandra Park : 3 : 3-0-0, $10,200, 1:58.1 (1700mM).
As a four year old (2002/3), his record read 10 : 7-2-1, $197,597, 1:55.6, career best mile rate in Taylor Mile. Unbeaten until his seventh career start when second in the Kumeu Stakes. His wins were recorded at Alexandra Park (four including Messenger, Taylor Mile), Addington (one, Superstars Championship in race record time, 3:15.1, 2600m stand off 20m) and Cambridge (two including Te Awamutu Cup). Major placings included seconds in Kumeu Stakes and Cambridge Elliott Futurity.
At five Just An Excuse continued his successful career with NZ seasonal stats (2003/4) of 6 : 2-1-3, $274,222, 4:05.7/2:03.5 (3200m stand, NZ Cup). Wins included his first New Zealand Cup, the one hundredth running, Centennial NZ Cup at Addington when starting favourite and the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park. Among his placings were a second in Elsu’s Auckland Cup and thirds in North Shore City Stakes and Ashburton Flying Stakes. His Australian season consisted of three starts with a seventh in the 2003 Miracle Mile, win in Group Three 2004 Ballarat Cup and twelfth in the Hunter Cup; 3 : 1-0-0, $63,500, 2:02.5AUS.
As a six year old (2004/5) his seasonal stats in NZ were 9 : 4-0-3, $409,079, 1:56.5 (2000mM). Early in the season he won the North Shore City Stakes at Alexandra Park while his second Auckland success came in an ID Pacers heat during the 2005 ID carnival. Running third in the two remaining heats before placing third to Elsu in the Pacing Grand Final. His dual Addington victories included his second NZ Cup off 10m in 4:01.2/2:01.2 (3200m stand) when third favourite off a limited, injury plagued campaign and victory in the NZFFA in a seasons best mile rate of 1:56.5. This gave Just An Excuse the converted NZ Cup/FFA double and together with his earlier Cup Trial he had recorded three good runs in the space of nine days. After the NZ Cup carnival, just An Excuse had his lone seasonal start in Australia finishing third to Sokyola in the Victoria Cup; 1 : 0-0-1, $27,500.
As a seven year old In his final season, Just An Excuse was a non-winner but recorded four placings from his seven starts; 7 : 0-1-3, $52,340. Placed second in the Spring Cup with thirds in North Shore Stakes, Addington double of NZ Cup behind Mainland Banner when attempting a third consecutive victory and to Howard Bromac in NZFFA while finishing fourth in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and seventh in his last race at Alexandra Park in the Summer Cup. Combined Australasian career stats showed 39 starts, 17-4-11, $1,035,068, 1:55.6NZ. Just An Excuse’s retirement came to a premature end when he suffered a paddock injury breaking his leg and being put down in June 2008.
Peter Craig
17 September 2022
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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