If the Fixed Odds on offer for today’s Saturday meeting at Timaru are anything to go by then New Zealand’s leading reinsman, Dexter Dunn, should be in for a good day.
The record breaking horseman has a strong book of drives with six of his charges paying less than $2.50 on the early Fixed Odds markets – and four of those are $1.45 or less.
That coupled with the $1.10 on offer for exciting three-year-old Tiger Thompson, who lines up later in the day at $1.10 after his great run in the Sires’ Stakes final, will have the bookmakers nervous of a big day out for those who like the play around the short priced runners.
The majority of Dunn’s hotpots are from the stable of Cran Dalgety with maiden pacers Shineonyoucrazydiamond and Fatima Siad both expected to finally break maiden status after some encouraging runs.
The former was a huge second on Cup Day behind Smiley Sophie and looked the winner 100 metres out only to be swamped late.
“He’s a professional placegetter to date,” Dalgety said.
“He’s overdue to win one and hopefully he won’t be a maiden after Saturday.”
Shineonyoucrazydiamond opened at $1.40 and has held steady while Fatima Siad was set at the same price.
Dunn’s other short-priced runners for Dalgety include Runaway Star ($2.20) and Benchmark ($1.45).
The latter was an impressive winner on Show Day and was early this morning backed in from a $2.20 quote to $1.45 after Lindsay Castleton was withdrawn.
Expresso Martini ($1.40) and Firenze ($2.05) are Dunn’s other favoured runners while he also has each way chances on the 11 race card at decent odds with Black Regal Princess, Linton Shard and Baileys Rock.
The day could give him a chance to extend his lead on the national drivers’ premiership in which he holds a one win lead over his good, Blair Orange.
A $10 multi on Dunn’s short priced runners today; Runaway Star, Expresso Martini, Shineonyourcrazydiamond, Benchmark, Firenze and Fatima Siad would return $179.00.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Trouble Giero, Westar Bella, Red Hot Poker, Taimate Raffa
Race 2: Runaway Star, Fire One, Monet Grace, Benchmark
Race 3: Expresso Martini, Earthbound, Real South, Waihemo Art
Race 4: Dancing In The Dark, Glenstone, Cimarron, Best Defence
Race 5: RR Sand Dollar, Linton Shard, Boomer Bailey, Gotta Del
Race 6: Shineonyoucrazydiamond, Handsome Hero, Quite Ideal, Playingintheshadows
Race 7: Benchmark, My Amour, Fratellino, Cuddly Jess
Race 8: Alta Orlando, Stunin Dude, Delightful Dash, Clive
Race 9: Tiger Thompson, Baileys Rock, Curlimore, Hard Days Night
Race 10: Sugar Cane, Firenze, Ruthless Success, Insignificant
Race 11: Fatima Siad, Maw Of A Woman, Christian Who, Lakeisha
Best Bet: Alta Orlando (Race 8)
Value: Sugar Cane (Race 10)
