Laver getting ready to serve it up

Laver (Bettor’s Delight) is on the comeback and this time in, his harness racing trainer Geoff Dunn says he’ll clock up plenty of ks before he gets to the big races.

The six year old last started at Addington in March, finishing eighth. He was at the trials at Ashburton on Tuesday.

“We might start him in a mobile on the 1^{st of} September at Addington. I think what we’ve found, because he races very hard we’ll have to get him really fit before we take on those boys. The racing last time in knocked him and sat him on his arse a wee bit. I thought this year we’ll take a bit longer before he races in that top stuff,” said Dunn who trains in partnership with his son James.

He reflected that looking back at Laver at his peak, he’d had a long run of races leading into some of those races.

“When he got to the real tough stuff he could handle it.”

The horse has also had a few health concerns in his recent campaigns including an Epiglottic Entrapment.

“The poor bugger had it for ages and we didn’t know. He was racing so good but he used to blow really hard. After he raced at Oamaru I said to James that there was something not quite right and we did a few tests and found it. He is a tough bugger to race with that. We had to do the operation twice but he’s 100% perfect now. He also had a slight hind suspensory tear which can be fatal. But he seems really good, fingers crossed, touch wood.”

Dunn said he’s stuck to the same training regime with Laver who’s getting hoppled every day.

“We just go through the laps and see how he feels. It’s not wise to jog him because with those sorts of injuries (hind suspensory tear) they can hurt themselves. In the cart keeps him settled.”

Dunn realises there are some tough targets ahead but knows Laver is a strong staying type, who when right, can be competitive.

“He lacks the top end speed of those real good horses. He needs to be up on the speed to be competing so that why I’m thinking he needs to be super fit, quite a few runs under his belt and then he’ll be able to do it. When he’s on song he just keeps trucking.”

Stablemate The Falcon (Bettor’s Delight) was also at the trials on Tuesday, the five year old having last started in April.

“He’s come up great and he trialled really well yesterday but he missed the start. He’s a funny bugger. He’s a great beginner from the unruly but he’s average when he starts on the front line. So unfortunately we’re going to have to put him back on the unruly.”

Dunn says The Falcon will resume in the Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington on 25^th of August.

“He was always a bit weak but he’s a bit stronger. He goes well fresh but it’s going to be a handy field.”

The Dunns are training a two year old half-sister to The Falcon by Sweet Lou called Millie Lou. She had one start in the Helen Pope Fillies Classic and they’re hoping she can progress.

Inspired (Art Major) was picked up by Dunn just this morning. She’s a full sister to Dashing Major and a half sister to Venus Serena (Mach Three).

“Last time she came up really well but then went right off. We tried a few things with her but it didn’t work. She didn’t race that well but she’s a smart filly.”

The stable is also happy with their February sales purchases which include trotter Nobilo (Southwind Frank). He’s out of Focus On Me (SJ’s Photo) and they paid $20,000 for him.

“He’s lovely, bordering on perfect. He’s a half to Highgrove (Love You).”

They’re also pleased with Ombre Shard (Always B Miki) who’s out of Lady Gaga (Christian Cullen) which he bought for $22,000.

Dunn says they also have a bit of time for Sweet Tartan (Sweet Lou) who’s out of ten win mare Expressive Victor (Changeover). She was passed in at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch for $25,000.

On the racing front, Geoff and James will line up Triple Rock (Rock N Roll Heaven) on Sunday at Ashburton.

“He goes alright. He’s had two starts for no form but he’s run some pretty good sectionals. We’re hoping for a better run on Sunday.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink