By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Dual-Island trainer Robert Dunn recorded a perfect result at Alexandra Park on Thursday night, recording a winning double with his two starters.
Promising trotter Resonate took advantage of his front row draw in The Alex Bar & Eatery Handicap Trot (2200m), taking a front-running role after stepping away well.
Driver Brent Mangos was able to dictate the pace throughout, withering the field down to race favourite Bolt For Brilliance and Group One winner Temporale turning for home.
Bolt For Brilliance broke shortly after, while Temporale was unable to reel in Resonate, with the latter recording a three length victory, with a further 10 lengths back to Sertorius in third.
Dunn was pleased with the win, particularly after Resonate blew what was almost a certain victory last start.
“He got lost a little bit when he got four or five lengths off them in front turning for home and he tends to knock off a wee bit when he does that,” Dunn said.
“He was just fitter for that run and it was a nice drive by Brent tonight.
“Once he led up I thought he would take a little bit of beating, although Bolt For Brilliance on his back might have rolled him (had he not broken).”
Although Dunn thinks Resonate is up to taking on the feature trotting races in Christchurch this spring he said the five-year-old gelding will likely stay north this year.
“Resonate is better Auckland way around and we have already got Woodstone, Pres The Belle, Sundees Son, and Pretty Majestic heading to the Dominion (Gr.1, 3200m), so we will probably keep Resonate up here.
“He has been doing a great job and he is really going to make the grade in the feature trots. The next 12 to 18 months is going to be very advantageous for him.”
Earlier in the night stablemate One Majic Kenny also made amends for his last start antics when taking out the Haras des Trotteurs Handicap Trot (2700m) by three-quarters of a length.
The four-year-old gelding broke rounding the final bend when first-up at Alexandra Park a fortnight ago, which Dunn said was out of the norm for the usually consistent trotter.
“It took us by surprise a little bit because he had been driving beautifully at home and he trialled up nicely,” he said.
“We changed a little bit of gear on him and changed the shoeing on him and straight away it made a huge difference, so we were really pleased with that.”
Dunn said Our Majic Kenny has travelled north to his Pukekohe stable in preparation for a couple of feature targets.
“He is heading towards the Sires’ Stakes and the Sales Series,” Dunn said. “He will probably head south for the Cup meeting after that, although if he continues to trot well up here he may stay on and get ready for the premier races in December.”
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