Dunn's pair set to clash at Doomben

By Glenn Davis

Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn is hoping to plot a future staying path after his newly acquired imports Mirann and Eaglemont clash in the Class 4 Handicap at Doomben on Wednesday.

Rising eight-year-old Mirann did his early racing in France and Ireland for trainer Johnny Murtagh before OTI Racing bought him as a staying prospect and sent him to Sydney trainer John O’Shea.

Eaglemont is also raced by OTI Racing after being sold and sent to Australia.

He won twice in nine starts for co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Victoria.

Dunn rates Eaglemont as the pick of his pair after the six-year-old was beaten less than two lengths when fifth to Brigantine in his stable debut in a 1350 metre Class 3 race at Doomben on May 20.

“Eaglemont should have won first-up when he got back and circled the field,” Dunn said.

“It was a terrific run and he should win this time while Mirann needs further.

“I’ll see how they go but both will probably need to step up in distance further as they go through their campaigns.”

Mirann did not win in eight starts for O’Shea before he was moved on to Dunn, who has started the gelding three times.

A son of UK sire Motivator, Mirann beat only two home in a 1350 metre Class 3 event at Doomben last month.

He was beaten less than five lengths.

Mirann will be again be ridden by Ryan Maloney while Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller has retained the ride on Eaglemont.

Mirann’s best performance for O’Shea was a third in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup in May last year.

Dunn has a massive stable at Murwillumbah after closing his Sydney barn and has around 10 horses in work for OTI Racing.

“Mirann and Eaglemont both came from trainers down south and were given to me to train by OTI Racing,” Dunn said.

“I’ve got about 10 horses in work with OTI.”

Dunn also will saddle Crazy Train in the Benchmark 68 Handicap, Nishikori in the Class 6 Plate and Orient’s Secret in the Class 1 Handicap on Wednesday.

He expects all three to run well and will closely monitor the performance of Orient’s Secret who has started four times for a win and two seconds.

The three-year-old won his maiden at Ipswich on May 10 before a last start second to Mintaka Lad in a 1200 metre Class 1  race at Doomben two weeks later.

“Orient’s Secret is a very nice horse but is drawn a bit ordinary,” he said.

“He’s very promising and will be better next campaign when he gets out to 1600 metres.”