Pastor Dunbar passes yet another test

Top three year Pastor Dunbar (Pastor Stephen) fresh from his brilliant harness racing win in the New South Wales Trotters Derby passed his first test in open class with flying colours when he gave a near faultless display to take out the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Voucher Trot at Melton on Saturday evening.

Being let to balance early by driver Damian Wilson, Pastor Dunbar eventually crossed over to the lead. The well performed Just As I Am took a trail while Sam Nien who had showed early speed was three back on the rails.

Kyvalley Judge who support on the basis of his previous good form made a run three wide at the bell to race up to the pack but he couldn’t sustain the effort.

PASTOR DUNBAR 23 MAY REPLAY

Pastor Dunbar was travelling strongly on the final bend but Just As I Am came off the fence to issue a stern challenge and Sam Nien also was running on. But Pastor Dunbar seemed to have the edge and he held them off to win in 1.57.7.

The striking bay colt has won five of his six starts. As Wilson explained Pastor Dunbar was inclined to race a bit greenly but he’s still learning what it is all about.

We wanted to get out of the gate as best we could. He did get out nice but he put in a funny one, I nearly lost him into that first corner.  I had to balance him a litite bit. After that he trotted good. He got very lost on the corner. When he’s on his own he had no idea of what’s going on.

So he was wobbling around the corner even down the straight. Until he gets someone with him he’s just so lazy and relaxed. But he does what he has to do.

He wasn’t tired (coming down the home straight) he was just wandering around a lot around that corner he just got lost being in front. He doesn’t get in front when at home ever. But doesn’t know what’s it all about just yet. I fhe had company around the corner he would have got home a lot harder.

Wilson wouldn’t be drawn into whether Pastor Dunbar will go to the Great Square at Albion Park in early July.

It is hard, we are going to take on a couple of free for allers there. We’ll have a good think about it. He’ll either go there or straight to the paddock now. We’ll have a chat on the way home and make a decision and we’ll go from there.

He’s done everything we’ve asked of him, he’s calm we got him after a few trials and he galloped and did heaps wrong at the trials I drove him at his second and third and owner (Kevin McCluskey) said I should take him home. But he’s been beautiful since we got him.

Whatever Wilson decides, Pastor Dunbar is sure to make his mark irrespective of whether he goes to Albion Park for the Great Square or is kept for the Victoria Trotters Derby later in the season.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink