By Michael Guerin
Friday night could be the calm before the open class storm for John Dunn.
But just because he has to wait until next Wednesday to see his and father Robert’s stable stars back in public, doesn’t mean he can win a race or two beforehand.
John is preparing to bring trotting superstar Sundees Son back to the workouts at Rangiora on Wednesday along with big-name pacers like Henry Hubert, Classie Brigade and Heroes Square.
“It will be good to get them back and they are coming up well,” says Dunn.
“I am really happy with Sundees Son and next Wednesday will only be a kick off point but I think if the right races are programmed we could have them all back racing in early August.”
The Dunn horses have raced well since resuming after lockdown with eight wins in June as they count down toward Robert’s first premiership.
“Obviously they haven’t been the best horses in the barn but almost all the horses we have taken to the races have raced well.
“And that looks the case again this Friday.”
One of the issues for the Dunn horses is anything but a win can seem disappointing because punter gravitate toward them, especially with no All Stars rivals.
A point in case is The Player in race four tonight, who has had two placings in three starts since coming back.
“He is actually racing well, he finished third to Matua Tana last start which is good form for this type of race,” explains John.
“But his problem if he can over-race when he leads and that is where he likes to be. So hopefully he can settle better with a trail and would be a good chance.”
Dunn opts for Cheddar Valley in race nine as perhaps his best of the weekend even though he meets a handy last-start runner-up in J R Bromac.
“He has been racing well and came home (last 800m) in 55.4 seconds last start but something came off his back to beat him.”
The stable has three even chances in race seven, with Dunn reluctant to choose between Anamajor, Kensington Bill and Carlos Bromac.
“They could all win with the right run cause it looks a tricky little race.”
