The lightly-raced Pastor Dunbar claimed his biggest harness racing success at just his fifth race start with a stirring win in the Group 1 $75,000 Success Stud New South Wales Trotters Derby at Menangle on Saturday evening.
The race saw the presence of the highly-promising Keayang Bazlenka, who had won both the APG Vicbred and Betavet Breeders Crown at Melton in the latter part of 2025 and was resuming in the Derby.
On the strength of that form, Keayang Bazlenka was installed a long odds-on favourite as Victorians had six of the eight runners in the field.
Local trotter Superior Stride found the early lead while Notanotha Naughty took the trail in behind. The other local, What The Tooth, was three back on the rails while Keayang Bazlenka moved up outside the leader, although he seemed to be racing keenly.
Munny The Munster had the one-out and one-back trail while Pastor Dunbar was a clear last. Then, at the crucial stage of the event, Keayang Bazlenka unexpectedly broke and effectively lost all chance. This left Superior Stride trying to hold off Notanotha Naughty, but Munny The Munster looked threatening out wide with What The Tooth coming through as well.
It was Pastor Dunbar who timed his run to perfection, coming out off the track to just grab victory ahead of Munny The Munster with What The Tooth a credible third.
Pastor Dunbar, who rated 1.57.6 for the 2300m trip, is raced by his breeder Kevin McCluskey.
Trainer-driver Damian Wilson is no stranger to Group 1 success with previous performers Major Moth, Lively Moth and Living On Fire.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him,” Wilson said. “His only loss was when he was checked and galloped and lost 40 metres and still run second. When he’s won those races against the lower-class horses, obviously he’s done it so comfortably. So, I thought I’d give him a crack at this.
“Me and Laura (Wilson), we both liked him from the start when we first got him. And he seems to have improved. He works at home like a good horse, so yes we gave him the opportunity.
“There are no plans at this stage – maybe a little freshen-up. He’s not a real big, strong horse – he needs to put a bit of weight on – so we might give him a fortnight off and just poke around.”
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
Photo: Club Menangle
