Trainer Damian Wilson is glad he resisted the temptation of Queensland’s winter riches with his untapped young trotter Pastor Dunbar.
In the days after the three-year-old brilliantly won the Group 1 NSW Derby at Menangle on May 9, Wilson explored chasing another Group 1 win in the $150,000 Great Square for three and four-year-old trotters at Albion Park.
“In the end, it was just too hard and not the best thing to do by the horse,” he said. “It would’ve been a rush to get up and back and then still have the horse right for the Vicbred series (next month).
“Then there’s the fact he’s so inexperienced as a three-year-old who would’ve been against some very good four-year-olds.
“I certainly don’t regret staying home, not after seeing two three-year-olds that did run in the race seem to struggle against the older rivals.”
Wilson’s decision was further vindicated when he brought Pastor Dunbar, who boasts five wins and a second from just six starts, back from a three-week spell.
“He’d really thrived and put on heaps of weight, which we hoped for,” he said. “If anything, he’s put on too much weight. He does look very strong though.”
Pastor Dunbar returns for his first start since a Melton win on May 25 when he tackles his own age in the Hyland Racing Colours 3YO Trot (2240m) at the same track on Saturday night.
“I nearly didn’t run him this week, but then I thought he really should have two runs before the Vicbred series,” Wilson said.
“By going around this week, he can run again in The Holmfield in another two weeks and that should top him off nicely for the Vicbred.
“Even though he put on so much weight, he showed he was ready with a good trial against some nice pacers at Cobram last week.”
Although Pastor Dunbar ran last of four, he was only beaten three metres by comeback three-year-old Atua Magic, who ran third in the Group 1 Protostar in Brisbane last year.
“He felt great. And, just as importantly, he got off the gate well for the first 50-60m, which is all I wanted him to do,” Wilson said.
“The gate speed will be there in time. The ability is there, it’s all about getting him more experience and ringcraft now.”
Although Wilson resisted Queensland, he is open to travelling again with Pastor Dunbar this year.
“After the Vicbred, he’s got the Victoria (Trotters’) Derby. Then there’s the NZ Derby in December, which we would consider if he proved he was in the top one or two in Australia,” he said.
Pastor Dunbar’s main danger this week will be Jess Tubbs’ talented Howdy Mate, who is part-owned by media star Brittany Graham and top North American trainer Nancy Takter.
Wilson’s other runner at Melton on Saturday night, handy mare Ideal Moth, is proving more of a challenge.
“It’s like she’s just going through the motions at the moment,” he said. “I’ve worked her at home with the hopples off and I’m sure she goes better without them.
“You have to trial without them before you can race that way, so we can take them off this week, but I might for her next start and see if that makes a difference.”
