Maybe there is one last plot twist in the harness racing national trainers’ premiership after all.
A hat-trick of wins at Forbury Park on Thursday night set the ball rolling for the weekend that could make or break Robert Dunn’s chances of winning the national title.
Still 23 wins behind the Purdon/Rasmussen stable, Dunn has a bit of ground to make up – but has the luxury of a strong and plentiful winter racing team which will take him deep into July.
The All Stars on the other hand are expected to start to slow their operation down, but with a number of Breeders Crown heats to be contested as well as the odd winter racing proposition they will still be out and about.
Dunn made the call to push for the premiership earlier in the year when things were close. He’s had to watch as his stable ran a string of unlucky placings over the last month while the All Stars have kicked right into gear.
But last night’s treble, including the first driving win for Craig Smith, might have been the boost needed to get things moving and with 14 more chances over the course of the weekend – especially considering one venue is Nelson could really set things alight.
The stable has eight runners engaged on the opening day of the Nelson Harness Racing Club’s Winter meeting and there are a number of strong winning chances amongst them.
Those who race today at Nelson will also race there again on Sunday giving the stable two bites of the cherry.
Leading the charge is promising 3-year-old, Letspendanitetogetha.
The Washington VC gelding, who has placed behind; GI Joe, Major Ben and Mr Mojito in his last three starts gets the coveted ace barrier draw against a tidy field of pacers and will give his owners; Reg Storer and Terry McDonald a great shot at the second win of his career.
Yukon Cloud, who was a very handy runner-up behind Anny Ivy when last produced also has the one marble and will be hard to beat from there for Ross Houghton.
An in-form Highview Freddy and the consistent Joey Maguire look like other leading chances of success for the barn at Richmond Park.
In Auckland, five runners will do business – spearheaded by talented trotter, Natural and Bevan’s Cullen was very good last week at Alexandra Park.
Matt Markham