By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Jacob Dunn looks like the one to follow at Manawatu today.
The Auckland-based junior driver has seven drives on the eight-race programme.
All look set to be well supported, headlined by hot favourite Twista in the Osborne Group Chartered Accountant Wairarapa Cup (6.47pm).
“It’s a great book of drives … I’d say Twista is the best of mine.”
His last start was a 10th in the Thames Country Cup at Cambridge nearly a month ago.
“This is a big drop back and he had no favours last start when he was three wide the trip.”
A six-race winner, Twista is currently at $1.90.
Four of his runners, including Twista, are for the premiership leaders Stonewall Stud and co-trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer.
Still in his first year of driving Dunn has 16 wins in 2025, half of which have come with Telfer-trained horses.
“They have been a big help and been so great to me.”
The Telfers have 164 wins for the year, just four shy of Roy and Barry Purdon’s record haul of 168 set in 1993-94.
“We have talked about it a bit and hopefully we can get closer to the tally today.”
Among his better chances in the blue and white checkers is SS Guppy ($3.50) in Race 1.
“He’s a wee bit funny in his gait but he found the line well last start and as long as he gets the track looks a great chance.”
Then there’s the likes of Cyamate in Race 5 – “He’s been racing good and comes up with a nice draw.”
His first experience of driving at Manawatu was the two-day meeting there during NZ Cup week on November 10 and 13.
“It’s good I’m going in there with a bit of experience because it’s a lot different from driving at Cambridge and Auckland.”
“At Palmy you want to be on speed and we should be handy enough.”
His other two drives are Lincoln Downs ($5.50) in Race 3 for Ray Green and Nathan Delany and Matai Harry for Michael House ($2.40) in the last.
Both have second row draws.
“This a drop back for her (Lincoln Downs), she’s been racing some nice 2YOs … with luck she looks a top three chance.”
“He (Matai Harry) drops out of Addington racing … just another chance in a great book of drives.”
Jacob Dunn’s Drives :
R1 SS Guppy ($2.05)
R3 Lincoln Downs ($5.50)
R4 Princess Lisa ($2.20)
R5 Cyamate ($3)
R6 Elizabeth Hill ($6.50)
R7 Twista ($1.90)
R8 Matai Harry ($2.35)
Racing starts at 4.17pm