Racing: Dunns approach season best

By Matt Smith

NZ Herald·

9 Jul, 2015 05:00 PM4 mins to read

Alexandra Park raceway. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Small fields can be the worst to figure out. However, even if race nine at Alexandra Park tonight doesn't play out as Canterbury horseman John Dunn expects, Geisha Girl and Return To Sender should be right there at the finish.

Dunn and his father, Robert, who are training partners in all but name, brought up a century of wins for the season at Timaru on Sunday, and are now hunting down Dunn senior's career best of 103, set last season.

"You always try and beat last year's tally, which was 103, so hopefully we can do that," Dunn said.

The Dunns have runners at Alexandra Park and Addington tonight, but they will get few better chances to add to their tally than in the last with their pair of intermediate-grade pacers.

Geisha Girl and Return To Sender have been helped by two scratchings, which means they have only four rivals in the chase for the thick end of $13,500.

Dunn has plumped for Return To Sender, leaving Brent Mangos to drive Geisha Girl.

"It was his first run up there for a while, and he got checked at a crucial time around the last bend," he said.

"In saying that, Geisha Girl has a big drop back in class from what she has been racing. There's no Saveapatrol in here."

The Dunns also have two representatives Defy The Odds and Miss Daisy in race 2, although it was going to be three until they scratched Robbie Burns, who isn't at his peak.

Dunn blamed his drive for Defy The Odds finishing ninth in his first C1 run last week, and he expects to use barrier two to full effect tonight.

"I gave the horse no show from the sectionals they went up front. They sprinted home and I was last at the quarter.

"He lacks a bit of high speed so we'll put him into the race this week."

Miss Daisy was hauled in late last week, although Dunn will consider his tactics when the mobile barrier pulls away.

"She's not that tractable in behind, but in hindsight I would have been better to hand up," he said.

All Royal Gal (R1) is in the same boat as Geisha Girl, dropping back from taking on King Denny at the Ashburton Jewels last month and One Over Da Moon to a C1-C3 trot with junior driver Jack MacKinnon taking the reins.

"Scarrymcleary is going to be the hardest to beat if he steps, but she's trotting great at the moment," he said.

"She normally steps well and hopefully she'll get round in one piece and do a good job for Jack."

Bite The Bullet (R4) is a big 2-year-old who is still learning and will improve from the experience, while Culinary Delight (R5) can make up for her poor manners at Alexandra Park two weeks ago.

Dunn said the best chance for the stable at Addington tonight is Callenberg (R7), who seems to be slowly delivering on his promise with a win last week.

"He ran home in 56 and a bit and went quite nice," Dunn said.

"He's trained on well during the week and it's an even line-up, so he's going to be a nice chance."