Here’s the deal-Aaron wants a country cup!

Successful Horsham-based harness racing trainer-driver Aaron Dunn has claimed a number of highly regarded feature races over the years, but there’s one that he’s itching to get his hands on.

“I’ve been lucky to have some nice Group One victories, and even a Group Three. But I’ve never won a country cups race in Victoria,” Dunn said.

“I suppose I probably really haven’t competed in a heap of them, but it’s still something I really want to do.”

Which means Dunn will be as keen as ever when he heads off to Swan Hill tonight (Nov 3) with consistent pacer Hot Deal to take on the Radio 3SH Pacing Cup, of $25K.

“His form over the past few months has been good. He finished third in a VicBred semi at Melton, and I was very happy with his last two runs over in Adelaide in the SA Pacing Cup series,” Dunn said.

“He got a bit of tightening in a heat when he finished third and then I was inconvenienced in the final. I went to go to the inside, but there wasn’t a run and he raced rough for a few strides.

“His barrier six draw at Swan Hill is tough. I’ve got to go out at the start and have a bit of a look I suppose, and then just take it from there.

“It’s over 2500m so I won’t be bustling him too much, because he goes better when I can bury him away.”

Dunn said he had to shelve plans to tackle some feature events in Tasmania earlier the year.

“He got a niggling little injury which I couldn’t get to heal so I had to give him a bit of a break,” he said.

Hot Deal was a model of consistency last season as a three-year-old, with four wins and six placings from as many starts. His form this season is five wins and six minors from 15 outings.

Dunn is working a team of 17, the majority of these being yearlings.

“I’ve got great staff at the moment which helps. We have a few very nice youngsters, but two fillies by American Ideal and Art Major are catching the eye as well as a half-brother to You Beauty, which is by Downbytheseaside,” he said.

Dunn took out Group One wins with his superstar pacer Bondi Lockdown in 2021 when victorious in the VHRC Caduceus 3YO Classic and VicBred 3YO colts and geldings final; and then 2022 in the DNR Logistics 4YO Bonanza.

Bondi Lockdown was transferred by Dunn to the NSW stables of Belinda and Luke McCarthy, at Cobbitty, and this season he has had three wins from 10 starts.  The pacer is back in work after enjoying a break.

Apart from the Swan Hill Cup, timed to start tonight at 9.30pm, two other features to be run will be the King Of The North @ Llowalong Farms Trotters Cup and the Peter Walsh MP Swan Hill Mile.

The spotlight then turns to St Arnaud on Sunday (Nov 5) with the running of the Weirs IGA St Arnaud Pacing Cup and the BSL St Arnaud Sporting Club Trotters Cup. Locally prepared speedster Captain Pins (Denis McIntyre) looks a main chance in the pacing cup from Hugo Rocks, Telemachus, Victory George and Cee Cee In America.

Shaun and Jason McNaulty’s tough campaigner Travel Bug will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the Trotters Cup. But Baxter, Victree Hill, Easy Pickings and Berriesandcherries will be hoping to spoil the party.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink