A Grand Prix Group 1 day to remember for Team Dunn

[Wandering Eyes]

by Mike Love

Outstanding wins by Tyron Eros and Sunnys Sister gave the country’s leading trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn a Group 1 double at Addington yesterday.

Tyron Eros was far too good for his rivals in the IRT Ace of Clubs two-year-old old colts and geldings trot at Addington yesterday.

“We were pretty confident. He’s got the ability and does everything right,” says co-trainer Jenna Dunn, “we had a bit of luck with the favourites galloping at the start. Any win is a good win, but when they win like that it’s pretty special.”

Tyron Eros was able to secure a very economical run throughout in the one-one for driver John Dunn. With the two favourites Look To Da Stars and Bring On The Muscle making errors at the dispatch, and a solid speed set up by pacemaker The Merc, Tyron Eros was able to capitalise. Launching from the 500m he quickly put paid to his rivals and was never in doubt, winning by six lengths from The Merc and Bring On The Muscle who was impressive making a huge recovery to claim third.

Driver John Dunn was impressed with the way he won as he explained in a post race interview.

“We got a beautiful sit. He picked the bit up lovely, and at the 600m he felt like a winner. He’s got a long way to go, but we have the motor and horsepower to work with.”

The win also brought up John Dunn’s 100th success in the sulky for the season.

Tyron Eros also brought up a milestone for breeders and owners Alan and Ian Neumann being the first Group 1 winner they have bred.

“They’ve been long time owners of ours, so it was cool to train their first Group 1 winner that they’ve bred. They breed them well, so it makes our job a little bit easier!” said Jenna Dunn.

As for what’s in store for Tyron Eros, we may not know until the new year.

“We might just give him a bit of a break now and make a plan from there.”

Later in the programme Team Dunn produced Sunnys Sister to win the King Of The North New Zealand Trotting Derby.

Sunnys Sister was four back the fence before John Dunn got out of a potentially tricky spot around the 400 metre mark. He then whistled home to win impressively for nearly three lenths to back up his win the New Zealand Trotting Oaks nine days earlier.

The Dunns currently sit at the top of the trainers’ premiership with 108 wins and over $1.8 million in stakes for the season, with Mark and Nathan Purdon in second on 78 wins.

“Everyone, all the staff do such a great job, there are so many people involved it’s a big operation,” says Jenna Dunn.

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