By Matt Markham
A decision by Dexter Dunn to drive at Wyndham today over Blenheim could results in good fortune for those who picked up the champion driver’s drives at Waterlea Raceway in Blenheim.
Dunn was to be driving at the meeting in the Marlborough region, but the postponement of yesterday’s Wyndham meeting and its shift to today, left the current premiership leader with a decision to make on where he would drive today.
Dunn’s current closest rival, Blair Orange elected to head back to Canterbury and head up to Blenheim, but Dunn decided to fulfil his engagements in Wyndham leaving some nice pick-up drives for those already up for the two-day meeting.
Robbie Close was one of the biggest winners, securing the steer on the exciting intermediate grade trotter Arditi for Blenheim local, Dean Hunter.
“It’s a nice one to pick up,” Close said.
“The runs on the West Coast were really good and it looks to have a bit of a future.”
Hunter has a strong hand to play in the feature race of the day with his three trotters all engaged with Arditi joining Lady Beatrix Bourbon and Nelson winner, Destiny Jones.
All three were winners on the recent West Coast circuit.
Craig Thornley is another to have picked up a nice drive in the form of the Jamie Gameson trained, Franco Hampton who hasn’t been seen since running seventh behind Thefixer on Cup Day at Addington.
With an abundance of gate speed the Christian Cullen colt may be able to slot himself into a forward position and get a good chance to secure another victory.
The other of Dunn’s notable drives at Blenheim is Miss Daisy who has been picked up by Ross Houghton.
A member of the Robert Dunn stable, Miss Daisy ran a big second at Ashburton on Boxing Day when second behind her stablemate American Tart and with a cushy run on the cards today she gets a good chance to grab another victory.
Her toughest opposition will be another stablemate, Billy Badger who was a big winner on the first day of the Nelson meeting.
As they did last week, the Dunn stable is expected to be right in the thick of the action again today with an ominous looking line up of runners.
They’ve got nine runners engaged at Waterlea, one at Wyndham and four at Cambridge tonight.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Reign On Me, IW McNik, Tehoro Dazzle, Zsa Ziva
Race 2: Born Again Delight, Goldiloch, Smooth N Easy, Gotta Ticket
Race 3: Runaway Three, Hayden’s Meddle, Titanium, Idealagain
Race 4: Crackabella, Man Of Steel, Danse McAabre, Nova Time
Race 5: Arditi, Destiny Jones, Muscles Galore, Redwood Invasion
Race 6: Kitura, Lolita Franco, Dana Dawn, Sauciehall
Race 7: Billy Badger, Miss Daisy, Smithy, Eh Ef El
Race 8: She’s A Flyin, Gotta Go Ya Hu, Franco Hampton, Scotlyn Jack
Best Bet: Billy Badger (Race 7)
Value: Crackabella (Race 4)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
