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NZ HARNESS NEWS

Rugged Canterbury-trained pacer Captain Dolmio is being aimed at the $800,000 New Zealand Cup by trainer Robert Dunn after impressing at the Rangiora workouts in his first run back from a spell.

The six-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear ran some huge races last season, culminating in a gallant second to rising open-class star Heaven Rocks in the Easter Cup (3200m) at Addington on April 15, the winner clocking 3:58.7, with a last 800m in 54.1sec.

South Island stable foreman and driver John Dunn said Captain Dolmio, owned in Southland, had proven he was worthy of a NZ Cup campaign.

“He’s definitely stronger this time in. That hard racing last season will hopefully help this season. He was unlucky not to win one of those better races but still had a great season.

“He must have a big heart for a wee horse. He’s not an outstanding looking horse but has the right will to run.’’

The news is not so good for eight-year-old warhorse Franco Nelson (18 wins, $758,000) who ran second in the NZ Cup in 2014, and then fourth and sixth in 2015 and 2016. He has been troubled by foot and leg issues, but could be ready to campaign at Auckland over Christmas.

Captain Dolmio won at the Rangiora workouts last week, clocking 3:21.7 for the 2600m stand, rushing home from the one-one sit in 56.7 for his last 800m, the 400m in 28.1, to win by one-and-a-half lengths.

‘’He went really good. I was happy with his first-up run and he hit the line nice which is what you want.’’

He has only had 24 career starts after early injury problems as a young horse, but has won seven and collected 12 placings for stakes of $98,500.

Among his best performances were a brave third in the Central Otago Cup at Omakau on January 2, when he sat parked out the last lap in a track-record 3:09.9 (mobile 2600m). He kicked clear at the top of the straight, but was just nutted by Classie Brigade and Ears Burning, with the overall mile rate 1:57.5.

He also ran second in the Invercargill Cup (3200m), setting the pace but being edged out by Classie Brigade, who clocked 3:53.5, the 800m in 55.3 and the 400m in 25.5.

“He shouldn’t disgrace himself against the top ones [this season],’’ said John Dunn.

The stable also has high hopes for three-year-olds The Brooklyn Brawler, who won the Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham in 1:54.4 (mobile 1609m), Tuapeka Trick and Henry Hubert, who are all back in work and should be at the workouts in about a month.


Caption: Rugged pacer Captain Dolmio is chasing a NZ Cup start for driver John Dunn and trainer Robert Dunn.
Photo: Race Images Christchurch

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