Dunns dominate second day at Nelson

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Diamond Racing were a dominant force at Nelson on Sunday, with trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn taking out half of the 12-race card at Richmond Park.

Their charge was headed by Mighty Looee, who backed up his Nelson Cup (3000m) heroics on Friday to win the Nelson Classic (1609m) two days later.

“He burnt hard quite early, but he held them off quite nicely in the finish,” driver John Dunn said.

“It was good that he backed up from his good run on the first day.”

The stable also took out the feature trot of the meeting, the Mike Austin Memorial Handicap Trot (2400m), with Repeat Pat, another first day victor.

“He has been great this trip,” Dunn said. “It has worked out well because they have gone hard up front and he could use his speed late.

“It is going to be harder now with getting up in the ratings, but he should handle the jump I think.”

Stablemate Trot To Chevron made up for his disappointing performance on Friday when winning the Dan Byrne Memorial Trot (2400m).

“I was disappointed on the first day,” Dunn said. “Parked on that hot speed, chasing wasn’t ideal, but he backed-up great today. Once he found the front, he got a nice rhythm going and he was strong at the line.”

Spells Of Love completed the trotting treble for the barn in the Nelson OTB/Espresso Car Wash Trot (2400m).

“He has got ability, but we have still got a long way to go with this fella,” Dunn said.

“His gait is not there yet, but we will keep persevering and try and iron him out a bit better. Ability got him there today.”

Dunn was also pleased to improve on Double Time and Franco Cornel’s runner-up results on the first day in The Flower Farm Pace (1609m) and Palms Hotel/NBS Mobile Pace (1609m) respectively.

“It was a great run by Double Time on the first day, he just got beaten by a nice horse in Brando,” Dunn said.

“He stepped well, which was the key today, and once he got back to the front in a nice rhythm, he did it really well.

“Franco Cornel has got a few tricks, but he put his best foot forward both times up here. He went well on the first day and I probably had to use him quite hard early, but today he found the lead, kept rolling, and showed a bit of toughness to kick back.”

Dunn has enjoyed his time away in the sun and said the trip was a massive team effort, in both Nelson and back home at Woodend Beach.

“It is lovely up here, you get looked after so well, and the hospitality is unbelievable. It is a lovely track and we have been lucky that the weather has played its part,” he said.

“It is a big team effort. A lot of work is involved. We are up here getting all of the accolades, but there are still staff back at home working hard throughout the weekend.”