by Dave Di Somma Harness News Desk
It was the Johnny and Jimmy show at Rangiora yesterday.
The in-form John Dunn led the way with four wins on the 10 race programme while Jim Curtin chimed in with a double.
In what was a top day for Diamond Racing, Robert and Jenna Dunn trained three winners. Howling Wolf cleared out to a two and half length victory in the Anne Thompson Memorial Graduation Mobile Pace (Heat 1), Triple G was impressive in the Kotare Downs Rangiora 3YO Stakes Mobile Pace and Franco Cornel settled back, went round the field and then cruised home by more than three lengths in the Betavet Home Straight Mobile Pace..
Dunn’s other win was for trainer Graeme Telfer, when Barrytown got a lovely trip in the one-one before prevailing by a neck.
Triple G’s win was his fourth in just five career starts.
“He’s a lovely horse going forward just have to go sort out some steering (issues),” Dunn told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post-race.
“He’s a great looking horse and he’s got a bit of blood behind him.”
The Downbytheseaside three-year-old was purchased for $15,000 from the 2020 sales as a weanling. He’s already won $39,050 for owners Ross and Angela Gordon.
“I think he’s up there with the good ones so hopefully I’m right,” says Dunn
John Dunn’s haul yesterday takes him to 45 wins this year, second on the premiership behind Blair Orange (67) while Robert and Jenna Dunn now have 55 wins, 20 clear at the top of the trainers’ premiership from Michael House, and then Mark and Nathan Purdon (31).
Included in Jim Curtin’s double was Here’s Herbie’s win in the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup Handicap Pace.
Backed into favouritism, the Sportswriter four-year-old was three back the fence early on then worked to the lead and got home by more than a length to give Colin DeFilippi his first training success for 2023.
“When I asked him to go he sprinted good,” says Curtin.
It was Here’s Herbie’s fifth win from 19 starts.
Curtin completed his double with Special Dream who led all the way in the Rangiora Harness Racing Club Race Again 7 May Mobile Pace for trainer Jeff Whittaker.
