More memorable moments on the horizon for Beau Arrow

By Glenn Davis

Beau Arrow may be an eight-year-old and in the twilight of his career but the gelding will forever hold fond memories for Beaudesert trainer Matthew Dunn.

Beau Arrow has won five races in his 28-start career and will be out to make it six when he lines up in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1350 metres at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Dunn, who is often mistaken for his namesake Murwillumbah trainer, won his first metropolitan race with Beau Arrow when the gelding was successful in a Benchmark 70 race at Doomben in September, 2018.

The late bloomer didn’t start his career until a late four-year-old but has been a great money spinner after taking his prizemoney earnings to more than $136,000 with five wins and six placings.

Beau Arrow’s breeding caught Dunn’s attention when he was offered for sale and he picked up a bargain when he bought the half-brother to star sprinter Jonker, who has gone on to win a Group 1 level for Tony Gollan.

“He’s a half-brother to Jonker and I got him for only $700 at a bloodstock auction after he was sacked by his previous trainer,” Dunn said.

“He’s done a great job and we’ve won five races with him.”

The son of Love Conquerors All has had his share of problems in Dunn’s care and has won only two more races since he won his first three races in a row for the stable.

Dunn is hopeful another win is not far off after he was placed at his only two starts since resuming this summer.

Beau Arrow resumed with a fast finishing third over 1200 metres at Ipswich in November then caught the eye with his last start second to Zoulou Dancer in the Summer Provincial Series Final at Eagle Farm on December 11.

“His last run was very good after he was caught three wide in the early stages,” Dunn said.

“The winner Zoulou Dancer was last coming from home and just got us late.”

Dunn has up to a dozen horses in work at Beaudesert and mixes training with pre-training for outside clients.

“I’ve got around 10 horses I train myself and another 10 horses in pre-training for others,” he said.