By Glenn Davis
Trainer Matt Dunn has given punters a strong lead by declaring well bred mare Bonanova’s Dream as the best of his stables’ runners at Ipswich on Wednesday.
Bonanova’s Dream is having her first start for Dunn when she steps out in the final race on the eight-event card in the Class One Handicap (1100m).
Dunn has five runners engaged at Ipswich but is likely to scratch first starter Winning Brothers and
Dreamtime Magic after they drew poorly in the Maiden Plate (1100m).
It leaves the Murwillumbah-based trainer with Saxton Rock to contest the Class Three Plate (1350m) and Marmaris in the Class Two Handicap (1680m) as well as Bonanova’s Dream.
Dunn felt Marmaris, a last start second in a 1350-metre Class Three at Ipswich on September 11, was looking for further ground and preferred to dodge a clash with Saxton Rock in which he also was an acceptor.
“I probably won’t start Winning Brothers and Dreamtime Magic after they drew so poorly and of my other three runners, I think Bonanova’s Dream is my best chance,” he said.
Bonanova’s Dream was originally trained in Sydney by Gary Moore but she had only three starts before connections, which includes prominent breeder John Hutchins, sent her to Dunn last year.
“She’s well bred and she’s been going really well since she’s been with me,” Dunn said.
“She’s the best of mine at Ipswich.”
Hutchins has raced many horses in Queensland but is best known for his Group 1 Coolmore Classic victory with the Peter Moody-trained Typhoon Tracy in 2009.
Bonanova’s Dream is by champion sire Redoute’s Choice out of the Group 1 winning mare Bonanova.
Bonanova was trained by Graeme Begg and won more than $1 million in prizemoney from eight wins in 31 starts.
She raced at the highest level 13 times but her only success at Group 1 level was in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in 2009.
Dunn also is looking for an improved performance from Saxton Rock.
Saxton Rock has been an enigma winning only three times from 24 starts but Dunn has always rated the five-year-old highly.
Since returning from a spell, Saxton Rock was a first-up fourth in a 1200-metre Class Three at the Gold Coast in August before a last start third in a 1200-metre Class Four at the Gold Coast on September 7.
“He’s looking for the mile now and he’s got a nice draw so he should be able to get a soft run,” Dunn said.
“He was awful and I still don’t know why when he failed first-up at the Gold Coast but he’s been a decent horse for us and has run in two Highways in Sydney.
“He should be really strong late.”
Racing Queensland webnews October 1