By Michael Guerin
One of the greatest honours of Dexter Dunn’s career has come at a time when he can barely get a look it at our richest races.
But Dunn says that could soon be about to change.
The champion reinsman is among the 11 nominees for Sportsman of the Year at the Halbergs in February, sitting alongside the likes of Dan Carter, Winston Reid, Scott Dixon and Danny Lee.
Dunn doesn’t expect to make the finalists when the nominations are trimmed down next month but says his nomination was a surprise and a thrill.
“It is huge for me and great for harness racing but I had no idea,” says Dunn.
“I suppose winning the World Champs helped and I had a great year in the big races but to see my name on the same list as those athletes is amazing.
“But I’m realistic. I don’t expect to get through to the final list for the award. Getting this far is a huge achievement for me.
“Especially when you consider a guy like James (McDonald), who is a superstar, didn’t get nominated.”
The nomination caps a remarkable last 12 months for Dunn during which he won the World Driving Champs, Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and Auckland Cup but this season has so far been big of winners, small on glamour.
With Christen Me sidelined and few age group stars among his regular drives, Dunn wasn’t even at Alexandra Park last Friday, instead driving at the much more sedate Forbury Park meeting. Yet he still heads the national premiership with 66 wins, well clear of second placed Blair Orange on 37.
“I feel like I am driving well and getting plenty of winners but I haven’t been on many real chances in the best races,” he admits.
“These things go in cycles and what hurt me a bit was not having a top juvenile of either sex to drive last season, which means no big name three-year-olds so far this season.
“But it will turn around. Christen Me will be back in the New Year and I drove Locharburn at the Rangiora workouts today and he feels great.
“And I think Sheemon will be a lot better at Auckland this Friday that he was during the Cup carnival so as far as the big races go, it can only get better.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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