By Adam Hamilton
Dexter Dunn can’t think of a better way to round out his extended two-month stint Down Under.
Dunn, who flew from the US back to New Zealand on December 20, is now in Queensland to compete in the innovative and inaugural Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge.
The 20-race series will be run across two nights on Friday and Saturday (Feb 21 and 22) at Albion Park.
Dunn is one of four internationals in the 10-driver series, joining his great Kiwi mate Carter Dalgety, Yannick Gingras (USA) and Bjorn Goop (Sweden). He is a $5.50 joint favourite at the moment to win the Challenge.
The rest of the line-up is a gathering of many of Australia’s top drivers: Gary Hall Jr, Kate Gath, Nathan Dawson, Pete McMullen, Brad Hewitt and Angus Garrard.
Such is the depth, Aussie stars like Chris Alford, Luke McCarthy, Cam Hart, James Herbertson and Deni Roberts couldn’t get slots.
“I love the concept,” Dunn said. “As soon as I heard about it, I jumped at the chance to be part of it.
“You’d be surprised by the level of interest back in the US. There’s a few drivers over there who’d love to have been part of it, big names, too.
“And now it’s getting closer, everyone is starting to talk about it in NZ and Australia.”
Dunn admits having Gath and Dalgety in the series takes it to another level for him.
“It makes it quite personal, quite sentimental and special,” he said.
“It’s like a trip back through my career, my life really. Kate and Andy (Gath) were such a big part of my career early on, I drove my first winner (at Geelong) when I was in Victoria working for them. We’ve always stayed really close.
“It’s been fantastic to see the success they’ve had as a stable and what Kate’s achieved as a driver. It’s so fitting she’s part of this series.
“And it’s similar with Carter. Obviously the biggest chapter of my career was spent at Kentuckiana with the Dalgetys and they’re like another family to me.
“Carter was just a young kid when I started there and grew up alongside me. I’m so proud of what he’s done and he’s got it all ahead of him.”
Dunn won’t have much time to savour the series, needing to get an early flight Sunday morning to Orlando, Florida – via San Francisco – to attend the big Dan Patch Horse of the Year Awards night.
“I don’t want to miss it. I think I drove eight of the 12 divisional winners and Twin B Joe Fresh is favourite to win (overall US) Horse of the Year,” he said.
“I part-own her and drive her … she’s taken us on the ride of a lifetime so far and it would be so special if she could win it.”
Dunn will also formally collect his fifth US Driver of the Year trophy over the past six years.
“It’s been such a great trip back home and I’m glad I stretched it out to two months compared to the five weeks I’ve had back home the past couple of years,” he said.
Dunn’s been a regular sight at race tracks around the South Island over the summer and also took in last Saturday night’s HRNZ annual awards in Christchurch.
“I’ve had the time to properly catch-up with so many people and really enjoy it without having to rush.
“I haven’t driven in the States since November 30, so I’m ready to get back into it now.”
