by Tayler Strong
Dexter Dunn won the “youth versus experience” invitation drivers series for the second time at Waikouaiti on Thursday.
Dunn amassed 71 points over the eight races and finished three points clear of Samantha Ottley. Dunn won races with Holdon Toyaspurs, De Vito, Franco Exeter and Eh Ef El. His win on Eh Ef El clinched the victory with Ottley leading by three points before the final race.
He helped the “youth” (up to 30) win the team event with 319 points against 297 for the “experience” (50 and over).
Dunn collected a $2000 cash prize. Bruce Negus collected the $2000 prize for the leading trainer sponsored by the estate of Pat Campbell, a former client who died in January.
Negus amassed 47 points with Neil Edge in second place with 28. The Negus stable had seven horses at the meeting he helped organise. His wife, Colleen also made a major contribution to the organisation.
Dunn (26) won the inaugural series in 2014. He has since won a world driving championship in Australia. He has been the leading NZ reinsman the past eight seasons. He is in front again this season with 142 wins, a lead of 64 over his nearest rival.
Holdon Toyaspurs is trained by 82-year-old Mick Prendergast, the part-owner.
Terry Ashby, of Christchurch continued his success as an owner when She’s A Flyin led over the last 1400 of 1900m when having her first start. She is trained by Stephen Boyd at Aylesbury. A $6000 purchase at the 2013 yearling sale, she is a 4-year-old mare by Sands A Flyin and the first foal of Make It Brief, a Life Sign mare who won two races.
Ashby raced Sheeza Shark, who won 10 races before she was sold to the United States last month. He was also in the ownership of Four Starzzz Flash, winner of 14 races including the 2013 Maurice Holmes Vase and Central Otago Cup.
De Vito who led over the last 2000 of 2600m, will now be spelled. “We think quite a bit of him but he is not quite there,” said Robert Wilson, a member of the seven-person Balfour syndicate, who race De Vito.
The Sundon gelding credited trainer Billy Heads with his first win since he transferred to Waikouaiti a fortnight ago.
Saramon, who joined the stable of Leonne Jones six weeks ago after being leased, cleared C0 ranks at his third start from new quarters. The Gotta Go Cullen 4-year-old was leased by Henrietta Westrum, Philip Cusdin, Davey O’Neill, Brent Slagter, Warren Thompson and Norm Pugh from Robert Anderson.
Trainer Mark Jones won with Franco Exeter and Fair Dinkum Bromac. It was the second win in five starts for Franco Exter, who led over the last 1000m after being caught three wide early. It was the tenth win in 156 starts for the 9-year-old Fair Dinkum Bromac.
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