Dunns dominate huge night at Addington

By Michael Guerin

The Goose could be going to the Cup.

That dream is becoming reality with every win from Dalton Shard who made it back to back feature races taking out the $40,000 Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup at Addington on Friday night.

The Team Dunn pacer proved that manners create luck when he stepped well, settled three back on the winner and then surged before holding out the late run of stablemate Charlie Brown, driven by John Dunn, with Macandrew Aviator third, the trifecta was exactly the same as in the Maurice Holmes Vase two weeks ago.

Dalton Shard won his way into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup that night so this win was a bonus and proved he deserves to be in our greatest race and two perfect drives suggest Robbie Close, the man universally known as The Goose, should be going there too.

Co-trainer Robert Dunn says unless something unusual happens Close will get his chance in the big dance at Addington on November 12.

“I think our drivers are more or less set,” says Dunn.

“Obviously if we only end up with one in the Cup then Johnny would drive it and Goose would understand that.

“But we are hoping to get Charlie Brown in and he has been so consistent he will keep going up the rankings.

“So if he gets it then Johnny will more than likely drive him and Robbie can stay on Dalton Shard.

“There is a lot of water to go under the bridge yet but that would be the plan at this stage.”

The Dunn horses showed the advantage of being fit and ready early in their campaigns and it was the third time the pair have quinellaed their last three clashes, dating back to the Country Cups Final in May.

Away from the repeat trifecta the run of the race was Ohoka Connor, who galloped away and lost close to 50m and was enormous in fourth.

On another great night for Team Dunn they are won the Hickman Family Ordeal Trotting Cup with Aardiebythehill, who defended the title he won last season.

He was beautifully driven by Blair Orange, who saved ground three deep on the markers even after starting from the 10m mark and squeezed a gap through late to down a very brave Tectonic and leader Love N The Port.

“It was exactly what he needed because he is still on the way up and Sticks (Blair) drove him like that,” said Dunn.

“He will keep getting better.”

Those two feature race wins made up part of a “sixer” for Team Dunn with Gone Surfin, Harrison John, Tyron Eros and Miki’s Courage their others on another wonderful night for the premiership leaders.