Dunn and dusted: Aaron’s on his way

Affable Horsham horseman Aaron Dunn is joining the stampede north-after several days of weighing up his options.
“To be honest I’m a bit time poor at the moment, but I’ve never been to Queensland to race horses so it’s very exciting,” Dunn said.
Spear-heading his mission is crack three-year-old colt Bondi Lockdown (Somebeachsomewhere-Without Guile (Art Major) who will be aimed at two feature events on the TAB Queensland Constellations Carnival.
Dunn said the idea of a trip to the Sunshine State had been on his mind for a while.
“It’s a bit daunting, but I think the horse is going enormous at the moment and his strong Bendigo win last week was pretty encouraging,” he said.
“Is boom Kiwi horse Krug going to be too good for us? More than likely, but I think my bloke will be suited by Albion Park, so we’ll give it our best shot.”
Bondi Lockdown (known as ‘Carl’ around the stables in recognition of his breeder Carl Reinehr) will run in the Group Three South East Derby, of $30,000, on Saturday week (July 17) and then, all going well, the $102,000 Group One Queensland Derby seven days later.
Accompanying ‘Carl’ will be stablemates Shady Azz and Sporty Azz.
Dunn said Bondi Lockdown had become “a little revved-up” at his Kilmore run three starts ago.
“He didn’t float all that well on his own. But since then I decided to paddock him with Shady Azz and they’ve become best mates. He’s now far more settled which is a good thing,” he said.
“I’ve also altered his training routine a little and that seems to be helping. He goes on the jogger most of the time. Fastwork days are the only time he’s in the cart.”
Dunn paid $20,000 for Bondi Lockdown at the 2019 Australian Pacing Gold sale. He is a half-brother to consistent performer and 19-times winner Rocknroll Eyes ($172,066).
Bondi Lockdown provided Dunn with his second Group One win in late January when he took out the Victorian Harness Racing Clubs Caduceus Classic-his first was when Dee Dees Dream delivered Dunn and his father Barry a Vicbred Super Series 2yo title 6770 days previously.
“It was nearly 20 years since the first one-but at least no-one can say it was a fluke because I’ve got two now!” Dunn said at the time.
The successful trainer-driver said Bondi Lockdown had “potentially shown as much as Dee Dees Dream”.
“It’s very easy to remember the talents of Dee Dees Dream, even though he was racing back in the early 2000s. The horse won 38 races and was like a Rolls Royce. But Bondi Lockdown is the best we’ve had since him,” Dunn said.
And there’s a fair chance Dunn will more than cover his expenses as his three stable representatives head north with good credentials.
“I’ll have our horses at Grant Dixon’s (at Mount Tamborine) which will be awesome. We will be staying at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. My 14-year-old daughter Amber is travelling up with me, and I’m sure she will enjoy the holiday.”
Pictured: There were plenty of smiles at Melton earlier this year when Aaron Dunn and Bondi Lockdown took out the VHRC Caduceus 3yo Classic G1. (Photograph: Stu McCormick)

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink