Dunn aiming for game, set and match in $500,000 Protostar

Happy-go-lucky Victorian trainer-driver Aaron Dunn says his exciting colt Forty Love (Downbytheseaside) will be a confirmed runner in harness racing’s rich inaugural Ladbrokes Protostar.

Although he was keeping a lid on Forty Love’s recent sparkling Geelong victory (with a winning mile rate of 1.57 with a last half mile of 56.4 seconds) it undoubtedly would have played a big part in making Dunn’s Protostar selection an “easy” decision.

“He did feel pretty good in the run, and I suppose I didn’t turn the whip around, so he did it under his own steam,” he said.

“Forty Love is known as ‘Rafa’ around the stables – that crop all got nicknamed after tennis greats like ‘Rafa’, ‘Roger’ and ‘Barty’.”

The $500,000 Ladbroke’s Protostar for two-year-old pacers is Queensland’s new showpiece event and will be held during the Constellations Carnival as part of the “Blacks A Fake” final night at Albion Park on Saturday, July 27.

The feature introduces the slot race concept in the north. Two “slots” were reserved for the sponsor Ladbrokes, and a further eight slots for $30,000 plus GST each.  Successful slot-holders are Ladbrokes (2); Gemma Hewitt; Jamie Durnberger-Smith; Solid Earth; Goozdolphin Racing; Daren Garrard Racing; Terry Cluse; Aaron Dunn Racing; and GSM Racing.

“Those wanting a slot had to put up the money and it was limited to 10 slots. So, I ended up having a 50/50 chance of getting drawn out of a hat,” Dunn said.

“I was excited to be one of the lucky ones, especially that we are going for $500,000. I think even the last runner gets $10,000! The Albion Park Harness Racing chairman Brad Steel was the one who sent me all the details and it’s a great concept, it’s created a heap of interest.”

Dunn is the sixth of the slot-holders to indicate their intended runners.

Ladbrokes have named Fate Awaits (trainer Grant Dixon) as the first of their two runners.  Daren Garrard Racing will run with My Ultimate Barney (Jarrod Alchin), while two Clayton Tonkin-trained runners have also been picked up, The Highlight Reel by Jamie Durnberger-Smith and Cigano for GSM Racing.  Bittersweet (Brad Hewitt) is named for the Goozdolphin Racing slot.

“Obviously we’re going to be against some pretty special horses, but I’m confident I’ll have Forty Love spot-on for the race,” Dunn said.

“I’ve started giving him two heats in his fastwork to tighten him up.  He’s a big lump and the heaviest horse on the place at 490kg.

“He’s a real nice horse who races without a head check. He can be a bit arrogant at home but is good at the races. I trialed him at Hamilton prior to the Geelong win and we went up against (stablemate) Hot Deal (Ryan Backhouse). We came home in 56.2, a last quarter of 26.2 and Hot Deal beat us by three metres.”

Dunn said when he heads to Queensland, he will likely take a few others as company for Forty Love.

“I haven’t definitely made up my mind yet, but I’m thinking Dee Roe would be ideal for up there.

“I love it up in Queensland and I’m looking forward to the Slot Race – besides it’s bought me a holiday!” he laughed.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink