Dexter grabs rare win in Sapling Stakes

When most of the age group harness racing classics come around each season, leading reinsman Dexter Dunn is use to having to face the numerous runners that the all powerful All Star barn usually line up in such races.

In todays Sapling Stakes at Ashburton Raceway, Dexter was in the unusual position of handling the All Star runner Pacing Major and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands with a lovely display of front running driving to take out the Group 3 feature race for juveniles.

Pacing Major drew widest at barrier six over the mile but Dexter sent the Art Major colt forward out of the gate and grabbed the lead after 300 meters from the stablemate More The Better in the hands of Tim Williams who settled in the trail.

Dexter kept the tempo even down the back straight but as they turned for home Dexter pushed the go button and sprinted away with a sharp turn of foot.

More The Better tried to rally up the passing lane but Pacing Major was comfortably holding him at the finish,1 1/2 lengths to the good.

The debutante Mongolian Storm ran on well late for a good third just in front of the other All Star runner You Gotta Have Faith.

Dexter was full of praise for Pacing Major post race.

"He is such a lovely horse to drive that he didn't need much help from me."

"He did that really easily to be honest and felt great the whole trip," Dexter said.

Dexter was struggling to remember the last time he drove for the All Stars barn.

"I don't think i would have driven ten times all up in my career for the All Star barn so it was nice to put the colours on for a smart colt like him."

"With Mark and Natalie in Australia I may get the chance to drive him again with a bit of luck," Dexter said.

Tim Williams was more than happy with the run of More The Better in the circumstances.

"You are hard pressed to make ground when they are running home off the front in 26.7 so my fella has gone great to finish so close," Tim said.

Paul Court was rapt with the run of Mongolian Storm on debut.

"He has run home really well and will derive so much benefit from the run."

"That run will bring him on in leaps and bounds and I'm already looking forward to his next start," Paul said.

Matt Anderson was also happy with the effort of You Gotta Have Faith on debut.

"That was a big effort on debut.

"I took all the shortcuts on the way home but he found the line really well," Matt said.

The All Star barn is a formidable outfit to race against at the best of times but when you add in a driver of Dexter's class with an All Star juvenile, the combination becomes nigh on unbeatable.

Harnesslink Media