Charlie Brown wins more than peanuts

Harness Racing driver John Dunn knew the midrace pressure being applied in tonight’s $110,000 Listed Hydroflow NZ Country Championship Final at Addington was playing into his hands.

He sat behind Charlie Brown, (Art Major) a great stayer, and the race unfolded perfectly for the horse and driver who are in great form.

Halfway through the 3200 metre trip Robbie Close pushed the button on Mo’unga and he powered to the lead. As they settled into their slots with a lap to run, John Dunn had Charlie Brown four back on the outside. Inside the last 600 Dunn asked his charge to go and he came round three wide, but under a drive. Straightening up, there were horses right across the track and it was Charlie Brown sustaining a terrific staying run, that got the decision.

The winning margin was a nose from stablemate Dalton Shard with half a head back to Alta Meteor and half a neck to the third Diamond Racing runner, Double Time.

CHARLIE BROWN REPLAY

“There was a bit of midrace pressure up front and he was sitting back. I had the momentum up around the bend and I just got there in time. It was great,” John Dunn said.

Charlie Brown is owned by Ross and Angela Gordon, long time supporters of the Dunn stable.

“It’s great for Ross and Angela but I also give credit to Jeremy and Hayden Douglas down south. We sent him down to qualify for this race (Wyndham Cup), so they’ve done a great job.”

The Country Championship Final is a culmination of regional races in most districts of New Zealand.

“It’s a great incentive for these horses that chip away all summer and with this sort of stake money up for grabs it’s a good one to get.”

The winning time was 3-59.7 with the last mile run in 1-54.8, last 800 in 56.1 and the 400 in 28.3.

The winning stake of $60,500 was the largest payday in the four year old gelding’s short career and puts him in the frame to contest the Group One New Zealand Cup in November. It’s a race senior partner Robert would love to win for the Gordons, who in all the years they’ve support the stable have never won a Group One race.

The win was the second for Robert and Jenna who trained the inaugural Country Championship winner Mighty Looee last year.

The win was one of four for Diamond Creek Racing. They also won with Ya Rite Carl (What The Hill), Heisenberg, (Art Major) which is also owned by the Gordons and Neverseentherain (Always B Miki).

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink