Dunn gets a Harness Jewels double

Dexter Dunn is fast becoming the biggest fan of Harness Jewels harness racing at Cambridge.

The unparalleled horseman notched up his sixth Cambridge Harness Jewels victory, and his second for the day, when he produced a perfect drive on Field Marshal to get the Tim Butt trained pacer home for victory in the 4YO Emerald.

“I’m quite liking this place at the moment,” Dunn said.

“I’ve had a bit of luck here that’s for sure.”

The victory was Dunn at his front running best. He snuck a 29 second quarter in down the back straight the final time which he said was the winning of the race.

“Being able to get that wee breather in then really helped, although Ricky (May and Usain Colt) really came at us late and I thought we were in a bit of trouble.

“But he kept fighting, he really deserves this when you look at the season he’s had.”

Tim Butt said that the speedy pacer would now head to the paddock for a well-deserved spell for six weeks before being slowly brought back up.

“We will have no preconceived plans, I’m not sure about the New Zealand Cup, but he will be at Cup Week in some capacity,” Butt said.

“He’s still a big immature horse who has a bit to learn, he’s getting there though.”

Owned by Syd and Shona Brown of Otago, who also bred the entire from their former great female pacer, Foreal, Butt said winning another big race for them was special.

“They are great people and great owners. Syd’s dad was a great galloping trainer and he’s a great stockman too.

“They’ve done all the work with this horse from very early on so it’s great to be able to put the final polish on for them and get success.”

Usain Colt went close to the upset of the day when he snuck up the markers to run a narrowly beaten second.

“I thought I had him at the top of the straight,” Ricky May said.

Titan Banner put in a herculean effort to run third after working overtime down the back straight while Australian raider, My Kiwi Mate was a brave third.

Winner: Field Marshal – Driver: Dexter Dunn – Trainer: Tim Butt – Owners and Breeders: Shona and Syd Brown.

Time: 1:53.15 – Margin: Long Neck – 800m: 55.9 – 400m: 27.1 – 2nd: Usain Colt – 3rd: Titan Banner

Matt Markham