Four caret diamond day for Dunns

Woodend Beach based Diamond Racing kicked the new harness racing season off in the best possible way, with four wins at the Rangiora meeting today.

Last season’s premiership winners Robert and Jenna Dunn began the winning streek with Lady Boutique (Bettor’s Delight) who was a half a length winner in race three.

Lady Boutique heading for home for John Dunn (Race Images Photo)

“I saw her bowling round the track with Pete Blanchard one day and I quite liked the way she moved, so I took her. Johnny said there’s still a bit of work to do on her gait and she’s a bit weak in that department. That win was impressive today when she was able to gain her balance again,” Robert said.

At the line (Race Images Photo)

She’s raced by Woodlands Stud which is offering a full brother to her at the NZB Standardbred Auckland Sale.

Lady Boutique enters the birdcage (Race Images Photo)

Ideal Delight (Bettor’s Delight) made it two for the stable when she won for the Woodlands Partnership Number Three Syndicate.

Ideal Delight sprinting for home (Race Images Photo)

“She’s another one that needs a wee bit more time to get her gait sorted out. She looks to be a stayer in the making because she just keeps going and runs away from them.”

At the line (Race Images Photo)

In the Diamond Racing Stables Mobile Pace, Absolute Dynamite (Captaintreacherous) won his fourth race and his second on the course.

Absolute Dynamite heading for the line (Race Images Photo)

He was wide early and needed the plugs pulled to get to the lead before winning by one and three quarter lengths.

On the line (Race Images Photo)

“He’s had a lot of bad luck, this horse. I said to the owners when I sent the bill that I was hanging out for the horse to get a good run. In his last starts he’s got better runs and a bit of money all the time. He’s dropped into a grade that he’s more competitive.”

Happy owners in holiday mode (Race Images Photo)

Lethal Speed (Bettor’s Delight) made it four when he came from the one-one to take the lead and proved too tough for his nine rivals, winning by a length and three quarters.

Lethal Speed closing in on the finish line (Race Images Photo)

“He’s always had the goods. We’ve had to turn him out quite a few times because he kept on getting what they call bone bruising. Riley Harrison has looked after him and he’s been on the water treadmill. He’s got a bit of upside. We think he’s going to be a very good staying horse and he’s got deceptive speed.”

On the line for win number two (Race Images Photo)

Owned by Kevin McKerrow of McKerrow Bloodstock, Paul Wyatt and Paul Saker, he’s a full brother to Aqua Sancta which won five for Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.

“The two Pauls have got shares in gallopers. Paul Sakers has got a few with Stephen Marsh.”

Riley Harrison and Lethal Speed (Race Images Photo)

All winners were driven by John and its was a great start for last season’s leading trainers who ended 2023 with 115 wins.

Robert says the stable has fifty horses under its care at Woodend Beach and is lucky to have senior horsemen Phil Vermeulen, Henderson Hunter and Craig Edmonds in its midst.

“It’s a very good setup with a lot of knowledge there. All the staff are great, and Jenna does a great job. She stayed at home on Cup Day and when each horse came home she gave them a saline, dressed them all up and put them away. We’ve got a fantastic team and she’s a massive part of it. She’s such a talented horsewoman and is great with horses that are lame and have problems. It’s a big set up. Jonny’s a great organiser and he and Jenna are a great partnership.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink