By Mike Love
Woodend Beach trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn will be looking to cap off their successful weekend at today’s Rangiora Summer Cup meeting.
The barn tasted success across the country on Friday night, including Ya Rite Darl, who won the Group One TAB Queen Of Diamonds at Alexandra Park, while One Over Da Line won at Addington.
The Dunn team will line up five runners at today’s meeting, including three runners in the $25,000 New World (Rangiora) Summer Cup over 2600m.
Race favourite It’s Tough ($2.10FF) will be hard to stop and looks set to continue his extremely successful campaign, having won six of nine races since resuming in early spring. The four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding ran third in last week’s Geraldine Cup behind The Lazarus Effect and race rival Tanzania.
Co-trainer Robert Dunn is confident of another forward showing. “He’s come through that really well. He’s had a great campaign. He’s managing the standing starts pretty well and the grass. He should take some beating,” said Dunn.
John Dunn will take the drive.
“We are pretty happy with the way he’s been racing.”
The Dunns also line up two other chances in the event: Bryce’s Meddle ($10.00FF) for Riley Harrison, who won this race last year, and Double Time ($21.00FF) for Robbie Close.
“Bryce’s Meddle has been running good races. His last three or four have been spot on, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run well again.”
He will start off the frontline, while Double Time starts from a ten metre handicap along with It’s Tough.
“He’s not been getting a lot of luck. He ran fourth in a very strong field at Addington recently. He’s a good beginner from the stand, which will help him.”
Other chances in the event include Tanzania ($9.50FF) for trainer Laurence Hanrahan, who ran second to Bryce’s Meddle last year. He will be driven by Gerard O’Reilly, and is the current second favourite. Landing a nice draw to utilise its good standing start manners to secure a potent spot, Tanzania should be a solid place chance. The Kevin Fairbairn runner Commander Joe ($15.00FF) is also racing in fine form and will be driven by Olivia Thornley.
The Summer Cup is carded as race ten and is scheduled to fly at 5:05pm.
The Dunns’ chances for the day do not end there, with two runners earlier in the programme.
Rock Lobster ($6.50FF) in race five, the Peter Smith Memorial Trot over 2600m, will need to bring his A-game to feature and will be driven by John Dunn.
“Good run last week. He made a big sweeping run, just peaking that last little bit. He’s getting more settled in his races and definitely has the ability to win another race or two.”
In race eight, Tyron’s Strapping Lad ($3.90FF) lines up in the Jack Behrns Memorial Trot over 2600m for driver John Dunn and will be looking to continue his winning form from Geraldine last week.
“The key to him is keeping him relaxed. He’s not got the greatest action now—a beautiful stride on him—and has real speed. If he can relax, he’ll definitely be right there.”
Always A Menace ($2.70FF) has been domiciled with the Dunns and looks a great chance in race six, the Country Feasts Mobile Pace over 1950m. He put together a string of placings and looks set to put his hoof in the till again. John Dunn will drive.
“He never goes a bad race. It looked like he was going to win at Geraldine. His form has been great; he has to be a good chance.”
The Dunns also line up Judine ($21.00FF) with Riley Harrison in the sulky in race nine, the Barnsey’s All Trades Mobile Pace over 1950m.
Race one gets underway at 12:05pm.