Dexter Dunn has answered a family SOS call to drive gifted three-year-old Franco Cristiano in Sunday’s Breeders Crown 3YO final at Melton.
Dunn’s brother John is away with his young family on a Queensland holiday and also felt Franco Cristiano needed some “Dexter magic” after an inglorious semi-final run last Saturday night at Bendigo.
“It would have meant me leaving the family to come back to Melbourne for the race and Dexter’s had more experience in these big races anyway,” John said.
Franco Cristiano got into as short as $2.80 to beat Our Waikiki Beach in the Crown final, but all that changed after his semi-final flop and drawing gate 10 in the big one.
Our Waikiki Beach is $1.10 from gate two on the Aussie TAB with Franco Cristiano out to $11 from gate 10.
John Dunn said he knew he was in trouble 100m before the start of the semi-final.
“He felt good in the score, but it all changed about 100m before release when he just started pace weirdly. I just had to nurse him,” he said.
“He never felt any good at any stage of the race.
“Even when I got around to sit outside the leader where I wanted so stay, he couldn’t quicken to hold the spot when another horse came around me.
“It was surprising and disappointing after he ran such an encouraging race the week before against Our Waikiki Beach and Menin Gate.”
Dunn said Franco Cristiano would have blood tests today (Monday).
“Dad’s looking after him and we have to get the blood tests because he pulled-up with a really high heart rate,” he said.
“We know on his best he would be very competitive in the final, but we’re just hoping he bounces back and shows his best on Sunday.”
Adam Hamilton