Dunns get three at Ashburton

Harness racing premiership leaders Robert and Jenna Dunn trained three winners at the Ashburton Raceway yesterday, with Grand Eagle (Alderbaran Eagle), Fusion Reactor (Bettor’s Delight) and Idea Delight (Bettor’s Delight) each having a win and taking their seasons tally to 114.

Fusion Reactor which won the two year old race was purchased by the stable for $75,000 at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch and is a full brother to Wrangler and Sheriff.

Trained by Robert, Wrangler won five races for the late Ian Dobson and was then sold to Australia where he won another twenty races including the G3 South Australian Pacing Cup.

Sheriff won seven races including the G1 New Zealand Derby in New Zealand record time.

Prior to yesterday’s win Fusion Reactor had just had the one start at Addington in September where he paced roughly and finished eighth.

“When we brought him up and raced him, he didn’t steer as good as we wanted. He was only a little horse so we decided to geld him and give him a spell. He’s come back nicely and that was a good win,” Robert said.

Dunn says Fusion Reactor is a typical Bettor’s Delight.

“He’s an average track worker but that’s always a good sign for the Bettor’s Delights.”

The two year old is raced by Kevin McKerrow of McKerrow Bloodstock, Mike and Helena Hanning, Micheal Williams, Paul Saker and Ken and Julia McDonald of Boris Bloodstock.

McKerrow Bloodstock, Saker, the Hannings and Boris Bloodstock also have shares in Hadron Collider, while the Hannings and McKerrow Bloodstock race Krug.

“They’re a really good bunch of owners.”

When offered for sale as a yearling by Rosedale Farm, Fusion Reactor was named Rhinestone.

“Kevin changes the names of every horse he buys. He’s a bit like Ross Gordon.”

In yesterday’s race, driver John Dunn pushed the go button early to cross the field before handing up to favourite It’s Tough. When the field straightened for the run home Fusion Reactor shot up the passing lane to beat It’s Tough by a length and a quarter.

“He’s eligible for the Harness Millions in Auckland but we’ll see how he is, talk to Johnny and take it one step at a time.”

Earlier in the day the Dunns won with three year old trotter Grand Eagle.

Grand Eagle began his career with Robbie Holmes before heading to Greg and Nina Hope. He’d been to the trials nine times before his first start for the Hopes.

“We’ve only had him for three or four weeks. Greg said to Johnny to have a go with the horse because he had a few back problems and shoeing issues. He looked solid and he got the job done which is great for the Neills.”

Dunn has a long association with the owners Merv and Sarah Neill.

“I’ve known the Neills for forty odd years. Merv’s brother Barry went to America with me back in 1972. When I went north with horses, I stayed with Barry at Kumeu. When I had Master Musician, I developed hepatitis and Barry took the horse to Australia for the Bathurst Gold Crown for me. Unfortunately Barry passed away with cancer a few years ago. Merv’s always had a few horses and he moved down to Christchurch.”

Grand Eagle’s sire Alderbaran Eagle, who’s a son of Muscle Hill, has a small crop of just five three year olds in New Zealand – three of which have now won.

All three of the Dunn winners were driven by John who also drove Szybka Lane to win for Graeme Telfer.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink