Bryce’s Meddle is on a Cup-winning streak

Woodend Beach trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn have Bryce’s Meddle flying.

The four-year-old Terror To Love gelding made it career win number eight while taking his earnings up to and over $100,000 by winning the feature New World Rangiora Summer Cup on the grass at Rangiora. It was his second win in a row after securing the Geraldine Cup last week.

Driver John Dunn was able to get safely away from their back mark of 20 metres before making the killer blow at the 1000m when they took the lead. From there they never looked in doubt, winning by a comfortable three quarters of a length from the fast finishing Tanzania. Bryce’s Meddle gave her backers an early Christmas present, paying $16.

“It was good. Getting the Geraldine Cup last week, then having to go back another 10 metres it was actually a good effort by him,” said John Dunn in a post race interview.

Bryce’s Meddle is likely now to look for a freshen up before racing again.

“He’s been up a long time so he will go for a spell. There’s never been much to this horse so he must have a big heart. He tries hard every time.”

Bryce’s Meddle is owned and bred by Warwick Sparks and his mother Una. Warwick was on course to enjoy the win.

“The thrill of this is amazing. I never thought I’d get one (Country Cups) let alone two,” said Warwick Sparks.

The Sparks have been longtime supporters of the Dunns having won 36 races from the “Meddle” breed alone.

Bryce’s Meddle was the second foal out of Presidential Ball mare Ashleigh’s Meddle who is now deceased while the Sparks won 14 races with Lionel’s Meddle – a half brother to Ashleigh’s Meddle.

“The original one was Don’t Meddle. Then I bred another one which Robert trained. Then we just keep the ‘Meddle’ in there and add a family name.”

In other highlights on the day Jason Ford won his first race as trainer with Gold Nugget whom he also drove. Sam Ottley drove a double with the Steven Reid trained Rakero Rocket and Piccadilly Pete for Matt Purvis taking her lifetime driving win tally to 799. Te Rapa won the feature trot making it two wins on the bounce after winning at Geraldine last week. Blair Orange scored a hat-trick on the card with Hey Tonight (Barry Ward), Te Rapa (Greg and Nina Hope), and Stephs Boy (Graham Court).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand