By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
The Country Cups Final is firmly on the radar for Diamond Racing duo Sam’s Town and Heisenberg after they secured a stable quinella in the Ashburton Cup (2400m) on Saturday.
Sam’s Town had to overcome his back mark of 20m, but he made light work of his handicap to tack onto the back of the field, while Heisenberg did it tough throughout sitting parked outside leader Wheels of Fortune.
Driver Blair Orange sent Sam’s Town three-wide turning for home and he was able to wear down the leaders to secure a length victory over his brave stablemate Heisenberg, who was driven by John Dunn.
“It was a nice race which suited those two horses,” John Dunn said.
“It is always hard off 20m, so it was a good effort for Sam’s Town to come wide and pick them up in the straight like he did.
“I am really happy with Heisenberg. He did a bit early and got caught parked the trip, so to fight it out in the finish for second was really good.
“The Country Cups Final is something to look forward to, especially with the money that is up.”
The stable scored another winning result on the undercard when Mystify Me took out the Dave McCrea Building Mobile Pace (1700m)
“She took on the nicer two-year-old fillies last time in, so it was a bit of a drop back for her and she went nice,” Dunn said.
Franco Cornel also represented the stable well when runner-up to Hey Tonight in the Pete Bryant Electrical Mobile Pace (2400m).
“He drew wide on the second row and we had to make a move mid-race and got caught parked. The winner won fair and square, but he stuck to his guns and ran a nice second,” Dunn said.
Dunn is enjoying a solid start to the season, sitting atop the New Zealand Drivers’ Premiership table, which was further extended with victory behind the Gavin Smith-trained
God Of Thunder in the Lysaght Horse Coaches Pace (2400m).
“Gavin Smith has always had a bit of time for this horse,” Dunn said.
“They dawdled up from and it was a sprint home, so it was a good place to be in the trail and he got the job done nicely.”
