The injury-plagued Eyethink looks well placed to repeat the feats of his trainer’s former stable star when he lines up in next weekend’s Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old entires and geldings.
The Horsham horseman prepared Bondi Lockdown to win the 2021 three-year-old boys’ final and has the pacer to beat in another big Group 1 decider.
Dunn, who owns, trains and drives Eyethink, had little trouble finding the front in his semi-final on Saturday night and never gave his rivals a chance with closing quarters of 28.04sec and 27.07sec.
In the end, he scored a thumping 9.6m victory over Roarforroscoe and stablemate Hot Deal in a mile rate of 1:55.4.
Dunn said the son of Sunshine Beach had battled serious suspensory and pastern injuries throughout his career, but was now in great form heading into next weekend’s $150,000 showdown.
“We just gave him two weeks off before this string of (six) wins and he’s just come back huge,” Dunn said.
“We’ve still got next week… and a nice barrier draw will help, but hopefully he’s got a bit of an edge on them.”
Glen Craven partnered a horse trained by his brother Matthew to victory in the night’s other four-year-old semi-final for the entires and geldings, but it was a race of different circumstances.
Some early moves ensured the speed remained on throughout the event, and that allowed the exciting Rubins Plight to sweep home from last to claim the spoils.
Solesseo Matuca was forced to work for the spot outside leader Hes Charlies Angel, but boxed on well for second ahead of the aforementioned rival, who held third in a mile rate of 1:57.7.
“I just hope he can get a good draw in the final,” Glen said.
“I think Dunny’s horse will be pretty hard to chase down, but if he could be sitting on him at some stage, we could give him a shake.”
Amore Vita is on track to become just the second pacing filly/mare to win three Vicbred titles after her death seat success in the first of two semi-finals for the four-year-old girls.
.jpg)
With regular driver Chris Alford overseas to partner Aldebaran Zeus in the MGM Yonkers International Trot, David Moran enjoyed the ride behind the daughter of Art Major for just the second time. And while she had to sit parked to stablemate Soho Historia for much of the trip, the mighty mare proved way too strong over the concluding stages for a 3.9m victory in a mile rate of 1:54.8.
Emma Stewart prepared the first five horses over the line, with Soho Historia, Petillante, Fiamma and Major Grace all in behind.
Former Stewart star Maajida is the only filly/mare to have won three Vicbred finals.
The stable also won the other semi for the four-year-old mares.
Jodi Quinlan partnered Talk Time from outside the front row, worked hard for the lead and then staved off the late challenge from stablemate Star Celebrity to score.
“She’s an improving type, this horse,” Quinlan said.
“Clayton (Tonkin) and Emma (Stewart) have always liked her from when I drove her last year, and she’s just getting better and better all the time.”
Talk Time is a half-sister to Victoria Derby winner Act Now, bred and owned by Bruce and Vicki Edward.
The first six horses across the line in each semi-final qualify for next Saturday night’s Group 1 finals at Melton, with the fastest seventh in each division progressing as the emergency.
Draws for next weekend’s showdowns will be completed on Tuesday.
