Racing: Right track, stable for record

Dexter Dunn (right). Photo / Stuart McCormick

The toughest record in racing came on a horse from the right stable on the right track for Dexter Dunn.

The man who is systematically rewriting harness racing's record book broke his own mark for wins in a New Zealand season when he reined Mistahmistah to win the last race at Addington last night.

It was victory 221 for the season, with Dunn still having two more weeks driving this season before he heads to North America to defend his World Drivers title.

But while the new record has been a near certainty for the last week, Dunn was thrilled to set it at the home of New Zealand harness racing.

"Addington is my home track so to get it here, at a Friday night meeting, is the way I wanted to do it," says the 27-year-old.

"And it is just as special the winner is trained by Cran [Dalgety].

"He has been a huge supporter of mine, a massive part of my career and a great friend so I am glad the new mark comes on one of his horses."

The nose victory was cause for double celebration as it was also Dunn's 2000th domestic career win.

He now joins an elite club whose only other members are Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry, Ricky May and David Butcher.

Dunn will win the national drivers' premiership for the 10th straight season and with $2,206,866 in domestic stake earnings this season should break his own personal best of $2,220,136 by the end of the term.