Tyres pumped, motors tuned – It’s Grand Prix Day!!

For the Harness Racing purist, Grand Prix Day is bigger than Cup Day and Robert and Jenna Dunn have the third biggest team at Sunday’s (Dec. 3) feature day. Robert Dunn gave Bruce Stewart an insight into the Dunn team readying to race at Addington.

R4-Group One $100,000 Prono8ure Probiotic New Zealand Trotting Derby 2600 metre Mobile Trot

#10 Highgrove (Love You)

“We were really happy with his last run. It was a good bounce back by the horse after a couple of poor runs. He travelled well in the trail and was relaxed, and it was a very sharp sprint home. He found the line strongly and his work has been super since. The draw is the concern. He’s drawn there once before at Auckland and didn’t quite handle it. He’s a bit smarter now and we think it’s not going to be a problem at the end of the day,” Dunn said.

#11 Nazareth (Love You)

“Tim (Williams) said he went out of the barrier far too hard the other day and was going to find the front easily before he galloped. This horse has really improved out of sight. If he gets a good run, I reckon he’s a first four player based on his runs at Kaikoura and Ashburton.”

New Zealand record – Three Year Old Colts and Geldings-Marcoola 3-13.9 (08/04/2016)

R5-The Crossing Group One $100,000 Ace of Spades Two Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings 1980 metre mobile

#6 Charlie Brown (Art Major)

“We had a stable full of virus and he had it as bad as any. His sectionals last Sunday were exceptional. I think they clocked him home in 25 and a piece (400 metres). He came his last 200 metres in 12.2 and horses can’t go much quicker. He’s another one of ours that’s got a pretty average draw. If he’d drawn a good marble, he would have been a hell of a show. He’ll go a great race because he’s such an honest horse.”

New Zealand Record – Mister Smartee 2-19.2 (08/11/2022)

 R6-Canterbury Spa and Pool Group One $100,000 Ace of Hearts Two Year Old Fillies Mobile Trot (1980 metres)

#12 Kiss And Run (What The Hill)

“She too had a virus, and we were nearly going to pull the plug on her. She just came right last week so we decided to carry on. Unfortunately, she’s also got a second row draw which is a shame because she’s got brilliant gate speed. Johnny (Dunn) is pleased with her work, and she trotted really good on Monday.”

New Zealand record – High Energy 2-27.8 (25/11/2022)

R7-Group One $250,000 Sunshine Stars New Zealand Pacing Derby 2600 metre mobile

#3 Magic Four (Bettor’s Delight)

“His run last week when he ran sixth was very good because he got held up a bit at the top of the straight and had to change ground. His last fifty metres was as strong as any horse in the race.”

New Zealand Record – Sheriff 3-05.4 (06/04/2018)

R8-Group One $100,000 Livamol New Zealand Trotting Free for All 1980 metre mobile Trot

#8 Aardiebythehill (Muscle Hill)

“He’s been very honest since he’s been in the south. I thought his run at Geraldine was good and I thought his run in the Dominion was super. He’s improved out of sight and is enjoying the beach work. He’s been doing a lot of work with Sundees Son, and it’s rubbed off on him. Look the race is all set up for Hopey (Greg Hope-trainer of Muscle Mountain) to win it, but my horse will run a great race.”

New Zealand record – Horses and Geldings – Heavyweight Hero 2-23.9 (10/11/2020)

R9-IRT Group One $175,000 New Zealand Pacing Oaks 2600 metre mobile

#10 Dance Till Dawn (Art Major)

“True Fantasy (barrier 1) has got good gate speed and Dance Till Dawn will keep up and could end up in the trail. 2600 metres is her distance because she’s a great staying filly. We’re expecting a nice race from her.” 

New Zealand Record – Princess Tiffany 3-08.2 (17/05/2019)

R10-Group Three $30,000 East West Fencing Summer Cup 1980 metre mobile

#5 Henry Hubert (Bettor’s Delight)

“He’s coming back from an injury. He’s been getting back in the fields, he’s been running home nicely and I think it’ll be the same on Sunday.”

RJ’s Best for the day: R4 Highgrove

Longer odds: R9 Dance Till Dawn

For complete Grand Prix Day fields, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink