Son of Somebeachsomewhere to lead the charge

There is an air of confidence about Horsham trainer-driver Aaron Dunn when he talks of the prospects of Bondi Lockdown in the Rock N Roll Heaven Vicbred Super Series for three-year-old colts and geldings.

And who can blame Dunn – who also owns the horse – after the manner in which he raced away with his Kilmore heat to progress to the semi-finals at Melton on Wednesday night.

Not satisfied to sit one-out one-back, Dunn took Bondi Lockdown to the lead mid-race and dictated terms to the line.

What that reinforced in Dunn’s mind was that he has his stable in the shape required to make a serious run at a second Group 1 win of the season, having captured the VHRC Caduceus 3YO Classic at Melton in January.

Dunn still thinks about what might have been in the Victoria Derby at Bendigo in October. Bondi Lockdown finished third in a heat and fifth in the final of the classic.

“He got away from me,” Dunn said in reference Bondi Lockdown’s condition.

He said the son of Somebeachsomewhere did too well in the paddock in the lead-up.

“He needs hard work,” he said.

Dunn acknowledged not getting it right.

It’s a different story now, though.

“He’s going really well. He’s at his peak,” he said.

Dunn has no hesitation admitting his expectations are high looking to Vicbred Super Series night at Melton on New Year’s Eve.

He said he had never been one to talk up Bondi Lockdown too much in the past, but felt it was time to put it on the line.

Dunn said his first task with the reins in his semi-final would be to ensure Bondi Lockdown found clear air from his second row draw and then secured a berth in the final with a top six finish.

Bondi Lockdown spearheads what is a massive night for Dunn, who has qualified eight of his team for Vicbred Super Series 2YO, 3YO and 4YO pacing semi-finals after taking nine runners to heats at Shepparton, Kilmore and Ballarat.

Only the powerhouse stables of Emma Stewart and Julie Douglas have more starters in the semi-finals, with 32 and nine representatives respectively.

Dunn’s line-up:

+ 2yo fillies: Mykorona

+ 2yo colts and geldings: Hot Deal, Flash Jimmy

+ 3yo fillies: Potential Artist

+ 3yo colts and geldings: Bondi Lockdown

+ 4yo entires and geldings: Kenya, Silent Major, Shady Azz

In addition to Bondi Lockdown, another big Dunn hope is two-year-old colt Flash Jimmy, which had his third career win in a heat at Shepparton.

Flash Jimmy emerged as a big improver in the Breeders Crown Series, finishing fourth in the final.

Dunn said while the colt was still learning what racing was all about, he had a “big motor”.

He said with not a lot between the two-year-old colts and geldings, he believed Flash Jimmy and Hot Deal were both improving types and well placed to make the final.

Dunn said Hot Deal went much better than his fifth in the heat indicated, having locked wheels in the run.

He also has a lot of time, of course, for Silent Major, who campaigned in Western Australia earlier this season and has shown himself to be as tough as nails.

As well as the opportunity having so many semi-final starters gives Dunn, it also reinforces the decision he made at the start of last season to step aside from other business interests and take up training full time.

Wednesday night features 12 VSS pacing semi-finals – two each for the 2YO colts and geldings, 2YO fillies, 3YO colts and geldings, 3YO fillies, 4YO entires and geldings and 4YO mares.

The first six across the line in each will qualify for a Group 1 final at Melton on New Year’s Eve.

To view the fields for Melton on Wednesday click here.

By David Brehaut for HRV