Geoff Dunn’s search for a new stable star lasted all of about two weeks.
After bidding farewell to open class pacer, Tiger Tara, late last month the West Melton horseman could have been forgiven for feeling a little apprehensive about what the future might hold.
Having enjoyed the pleasure of Tiger Tara’s success and also that of Venus Serena as well there was always that hesitancy that the next really good one might be a long time coming.
“You never know,” Dunn said.
“Replacing a horse like Tiger Tara is never going to be an easy task, but maybe we have found one.”
The one, comes in the form of Cole Porter – a royally bred two-year-old who took out Saturday’s Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on debut in a the second fastest time in the race’s history.
The Bettor’s Delight colt from outstanding racemare, De Lovely had too many guns for his opposition – enjoying a nice trip in the trail before unleashing from the top of the straight.
“I like the way he fights, he’s got a bit of a deceptive way of going over the ground.
“We are going to have some fun with him I think, he’s got a bit of talent.”
Purchased for $70,000 as a yearling, Cole Porter is raced by Dunn, Bob and Jennifer Sandford and John Gould and Jenni McBride – a large portion of the same owners who raced Tiger Tara.
Driver, Gerard O’Reilly broke the colt in and said from the outset, he was a nice individual.
“He was nice and relaxed and did everything you asked of him,” O’Reilly said.
“There’s a lot to like about him.”
Cole Porter paced the one mile in 1:53.9 – just 0.1 seconds outside the race record held by Follow The Stars.
A little bit of luck and a change in systems has worked the oracle for Hambletonian winner, Chevron’s Express.
After taking eight starts to get things together, the Cran Dalgety trained filly has finally switched on and her victory on Saturday was impressive.
“We changed a lot with her on the Nelson trip and it seems to have worked,” Dexter Dunn said.
“She’s got a funny way of going, but it seems to work so she could be in for a good season.”
The daughter of Muscle Mass is raced by Small Car World Ltd and Saturday’s win was the third in her 11 starts career.
Her chances were aided by the late gallop of leader, Enghien, but she burst through strongly to beat Muscles Galore in a Muscle Mass quinella with Habibi Inta in third.
Matt Markham