Jenna Dunn gets 500th winner with It's Tough

By Mike Love 

It’s Tough secured his seventh win from 10 starts this campaign when winning the New World (Rangiora) Summer Cup on the grass at Rangiora yesterday. 

Not only did it cap off a wonderful weekend for the Dunns, adding to their Group 1 success at Alexandra Park on Friday night with Ya Rite Darl, but the win also brought up a milestone for co-trainer Jenna Dunn making it her 500th win in just her fifth season of training with father-in-law Robert Dunn. 

“I'm doing what I love, and I'm especially lucky to get to 500, especially with RJ,” said Jenna Dunn.

“It’s not just us, it's a massive team effort.”

It’s Tough with driver John Dunn made an excellent beginning from their 10 metre handicap. After settling mid-pack, Dunn made a winning move from the 2000 metres to scoot around to the field and arrest the lead effortlessly. 

From there Dunn dictated the speed before pushing the power button to brush home in sectionals of 57.5 and 27.8, winning by three and three quarter lengths from a game Tanzania. 

“He’s always been a great horse. It was a great win.”

It’s Tough’s win continued a terrific campaign for four-year-old gelded son of Bettor's Delight and brought his total record to nine wins with over $150,000 in earnings. 

“We will see how he comes through the run, and all going well he will probably go to Nelson then have a wee freshen up, then hopefully qualify for the Country Cups final in autumn, that’s his main target.” 

The win gave the Dunns’ a double for the day with Rock Lobster winning earlier in the programme. 

Dunn has been training in partnership with Robert Dunn at Woodend Beach since 2021. Together they have won 15 Group 1s and over $10,000,000 in earnings. 

“Got The Chocolates was a highlight, especially in the Velocity for owners Ross and Angela Gordon. They’ve been such huge supporters of us for many years. Also Bounce N Beyond - I have a special bond with that horse. Every win we get is a great win.”