Dunn’s young guns start in Sires Stakes heat

In their quest to qualify for the $200,000 Group One Woodlands Sires Stakes Final on Cup Day, two of Robert and Jenna Dunn’s early season harness racing two year olds will return to Addington tomorrow night.

Got The Chocolates (Art Major) and Malakai (Captain Crunch) performed well in the first half of the season with Got The Chocolates winning the Group One Welcome Stakes and Malakai Group placed twice in his five race starts.

Each has been to two trials.

“Johnny’s happy with them. They’re fit after two trials, but race fitness is always a big thing. They’re both pretty nice horses,” Robert said.

Got The Chocolates has drawn the best of the pair at six, while Malakai has drawn barrier two on the second row.

“Got The Chocolates has got the gate speed if Johnny wants to use it. First up you don’t want to have gut busters. ‘Chocolates’ will be close to the top if not leading and Malakai will work into it late.”

Dunn says there’s not a lot between these two year olds.

“As they get another year on them I think the gap will close. I think Got The Chocolates has got a bit more brilliance, but Malakai has deceptive speed.”

The Dunns have ten other runners at Addington on Friday night and are hoping Charlie Brown will be rewarded for his consistent form and progress into the top 14 for Novembers IRT New Zealand Cup.

“Every win gets you closer to the Cup. He’s not far away from making the field at the moment (17^th).”

Robert like all trainers, is encouraged by the increasing field sizes around the country.

“You look at Addington and Motukarara on Sunday. There are some good betting races and even in Auckland we had 90 horses entered this week so there’s some good racing coming up right across the board. I think people are realising it’s important to have young horses up and going early. We’ve had seven two year olds that have got bonuses. It’s exciting times for breeders and owners.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink