NZ record smashed in Group One win

Champion trotter Sundees Son has smashed the New Zealand mobile 2600m record tonight by nearly two seconds, when winning the (Gr1) Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship for harness racing trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn.

Driven aggressively by driver John Dunn, Sundees Son ran the 2600m mobile in a lung busting 3-10.4 representing a mile rate of 1-57.8 with a last 800m in a scintillating 56.0 seconds and a last 400m in 28.4.

It was a group race that had eluded the Dunn stable and their champion trotter for the last few years after running close seconds, but there was no denying the tough son of Majestic Son tonight.

“It was one we always sort of wanted and one we couldn’t get the last couple of years, so to get it this year with such a good race in good time it was a big thrill,” John Dunn said after the race.

“I knew there would be a bit of gate speed out wide, Ben’s runner (Muscle Mountain) is very fast and quick out of the gate, but it is so hard to get past this fellow and I got around at the right time which worked out great,” he said.

The winners time of 3-10.4 beat the old record of 3-12.0 held by Harriet Of Mot since December 2017.

A race later North Island raider Kango also ran a slick time winning the (Gr2) Coca-Cola Superstars Championship for driver Northern driver David Butcher and trainer Arna Donnelly.

Kango (American Ideal) blasted to the lead early and made the favourite Cranbourne work hard before handing up to that runner and enjoying the trail for the rest of the race.

In the straight Butcher pushed Kango up the passing lane going on to win narrowly but well by a head in 3-07.8 for the 2600m mobile, a mile rate of 1-56.2.

Cranbourne and driver Matthew Williamson held on well for second and A G’s White Socks and Ricky May ran home well for third.

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Harnesslink Media