A day in the sun at Nelson on Friday quickly became a day belonging to Johnny Dunn.
The North Canterbury horseman, who wears two hats as an unofficial trainer and as a driver, stole the show on the first day of the Nelson Harness Racing Club’s two day meeting winning five in the sulky with four coming from the stable of his father, Robert.
In a display of aggressive driving, making full use of a notable front runners bias yesterday, Dunn took the bull by the horns and set about dominating from the outset.
He won early in the day with Muscles Galore in the maiden trot for his father-in-law and sister-in-law Craig and Aimee Edmonds. A Muscle Mass three-year-old gelding out of the former smart trotting filly, Harriet Hughes who hailed from the same stable, Muscle Mass went to war with BD Khaosan a long way out from home but kept finding and drew clear inside the final 100 metres to claim victory.
Dunn the saluted on maiden pacers, Kotare Mist and Returntorocknroll – the latter finally breaking the maiden status after 19 starts for owners, Trent and Wendy Yesberg.
Returntorocknroll is the sixth foal to the races from Jingle Belle Rock and now all six have won at least one race with noted performers, Bettor Rock On, J D Fortune and Great Balls A Flyin also hailing from the mare.
Kotare Mist is also well bred being a Christian Cullen out of Kotare Yangtze who has left Bella Star, Kotare Mahdi and Kotare Mahal – she is raced by prominent owners and breeders, Tony and Gay Abell.
Dunn’s remaining two winners come from consistent trotter, Foreverman and then he won the last with handy three-year-old pacer, Billy Badger who was levels ahead of his opposition in the last of the day.
Greg and Nina Hope picked up a few of the scraps following the Dunn demoltion.
They won the Nelson Cup Prelude with Usain Colt who continued a great run of luck for his owners, Wayne and Connie Stewart and then A G’s White Socks lived up to his reputation by remaining unbeaten with a big win later in the day after doing a power of work inside the final lap.
Ricky May was on board both of the Hope winners.
While it was Dunn’s day, Ladbrooks trainer, Dean Taylor achieved a notable milestone when he notched up his 500th training success when Jessica Young produced a peach of a drive on Go Davey to get him home against a handy field of pacers.
Taylor has held a licence since 1989 – 1990 season, training his first winner at Westport when Lumber Scott won with Jeff Whittaker in the sulky.
He’s prepared top open class pacer, Waipawa Lad to win a New Zealand Free-For-All and Captain Peacock won a New Zealand Derby.
In recent years Taylor has formed a strong association with Young and he is currently enjoying a good season with eight winners on the board already.
Nelson Second Day selections – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Unico Enchantress, Out Of Aces, Living Glory, Jersey joe Wilcott
Race 2: BD Khaosan, Gold Sovereign, Scarlet Bromac, Geena’s Girl
Race 3: The New Man, Jimmy Nga, Lolita Franco, Idealagain
Race 4: Johnny White, Black Art, Spooky, Clarendon Falcon
Race 5: Tattinger Rose, Franco Lamar, JJ’s Delight, Red Ranger
Race 6: Destiny Jones, Forverman, Prestine, Alvira Hest
Race 7: Gotta Go Ya Hu, Bella Jones, Mac Toddy, Handlebar Hank
Race 8: Unico Legend, One Off, Smooth N Easy, Born Again Delight
Race 9: Mighty Flying Major, Usain Colt, Alta Orlando, Smithy
Race 10: A G’s White Socks, Waimac Attack, Mrs Browns Boys, Gunpowder
Race 11: Cmeerock, Torrid Bromac, Emily Blunt, Go Davey
Best Bet: A G’s White Socks (Race 10)
Longshot: Geena’s Girl (Race 2)