By Michael Guerin
Team Dunn losing their top chance out of the main race at Alexandra Park tonight doesn’t mean they can’t still win it.
But trainer Robert Dunn says snaring the race they’ve sponsored, the Diamond Racing Stables Supporting NZHAT Mobile Pace, has become a lot more difficult and not just because they have had to scratch Triple G.
The potential favourite has been taken out after developing a slight infection and his withdrawal and that of Fernleigh Cash and My Copy reduces the field to six starters over the 1700m.
There is still good depth to the race with in-form Artisan, the promising Twista, the return of Group 1 filly of last season in Mantra Blue and the Dunn’s other runner Always A Porsche.
But Dunn, who trains in partnership with daughter-in-law Jenna, says Always A Porsche hasn’t been aided by the loss of his stablemate.
“With only five on the front line now I think Artisan will get straight across the front of the field and lead,” he suggests.
“Then they could get into single file and I wouldn’t be surprised if Always A Porsche ends up last in a race with no pressure.
“If that happens he will have to make his own luck and I think he might be good enough to do that but you have got to be realistic and think that over 1700m, if she leads easily, Artisan is going to be hard to beat.”
Artisan is a nine-win mare in the best form of her career whereas Always A Porsche has only won three times but they have come in just seven starts.
Premiership leader Dunn knows a good horse and he thinks Always A Porsche is developing into one.
“He is a lovely gaited horse but he was immature early so we gave him plenty of time.
“He actually corners better this way (right-handed) which is why he is up here in the first place.
“He has real speed and a very good recovery rate and I have found those horses with low heart rates and good recovery, it really helps them.
“So he will end up on the verge of open class at least.”
While Artisan looks a leader and maybe the winner tonight Twista was very strong last week after missing the early burn while Mantra Blue is all class but maybe follows the wrong horse out at the start.
Dunn warns punters their other stable rep tonight in Ideal Delight in the Track Chat Supporting NZHAT Mobile pace, is still a work in progress right-handed so will improve with her outing even though she has raced at Alexandra Park six times before.
At her best she could win as she has placed form behind some of our better three-year-olds and doesn’t meet a strong field.
One of the key horses to watch tonight is Bar Louie in Race 4, The Hughes Harness Racing Stables Supporting NZHAT Mobile Pace. He has looked very sharp in two unbeaten starts and won well at the trials two weeks ago. He looks a Sires’ Stakes horse so with any luck should remain unbeaten.
