I Dream Of Jeannie salutes at start 100

By Mike Love 

I Dream Of Jeannie made her 100th start one to remember as she took out yesterday's $20,000 Fresh Choice Geraldine Trotters Cup at Orari.

Starting as favourite I Dream Of Jeannie began brilliantly for driver John Dunn from their 25 metre handicap. Settling toward the rear of the field they were able to work into the race when Maui made a move at the 1400m. 

When Maui pounced on pacemaker Tactical Bid, Dunn stalked and did their own pouncing thereafter, going on to win by five lengths from Premium Player and Randel Houston P.  

“She has been racing so well again the last couple of starts and after a patient drive from John raced away for an impressive five length victory," the Diamond Racing Stables Facebook page posted. 

I Dream Of Jeannie began her racing career with Sam Smolenski winning 12 races including the Group 3 Jasmyn’s Gift at Oamaru in 2022, then again for the Dunns this year. 

I Dream Of Jeannie has now won four from her 11 starts since joining the Dunns shortly after winter this year, including winning the Group 2 Grand Duchess Trot three weeks ago at Addington. 

The eight-year-old Pegasus Spur mare has won sixteen from one hundred starts and over $300,000 in stakes. 

I Dream Of Jeannie’s next target is likely to be the Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton on December 21. 

The Diamond Racing team also won earlier on in the programme with three-year-old Muscle Mass trotter Tyron's Strapping Lad in the McMillan Equine Feeds Handicap Trot. 

Beginning well and settling back on the markers Dunn sat there patiently and was not deterred by the moves made mid-race. 

With gaps opening up just before the corner they still had several lengths to make up, which they did emphatically, winning by two and a half lengths from Barrytown and Rachmaninov. 

“Driven to perfection by John, he was well placed on the fence throughout before being drawn wide with his run turning for home, finishing over top of his opposition,” the Diamond Racing Stables Facebook page posted.  

Other highlights on the programme included The Lazarus Effect winning the Placemakers/Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup for trainer/driver Bob Butt. 

They will now head to the Group 1 Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park on December 19 while Steve and Amanda Telfer moved closer to making history when Semba won the Temuka Transport LTD Handicap Pace. 

The Telfers are looking to become the winningest stable in a 12-month season. The current holders are Roy and Barry Purdon with 168 wins from the 1993-94 season. The Telfer team currently sits on 162 wins.