The Brisbane trainers’ premiership title is not Dunn and dusted just yet

MATT Dunn has become the forgotten man in the race for the Brisbane trainers’ premiership, but he hasn’t written off his chances just yet.

Doomben Race 5 Winner No 8 All My Heart Trainer Matthew Dunn Pic Peter Bull

WITH his main rivals striking doubles last Saturday, Matt Dunn has become the forgotten man in the race for the Brisbane trainers’ premiership, but the Murwillumbah based conditioner hasn’t written off his chances just yet and sends two of his most promising runners to Doomben on Saturday.

Splendora resumes in the Fred Best Classic and Hollywood Barbie is set to make a lie of her first-up Murwillumbah defeat in the Lancaster Stakes.

“She’s a massive talent and I’m sure she’s going to run out a strong mile,” Dunn said of Hollywood Barbie.

“She should have won first-up, but she’s still growing into herself and I’m excited about her long term prospects.”

Splendora has proven herself in stakes grade in the past.

Splendora’s campaign was thrown off balance when the heavy track forced her scratching from the Gold Coast Guineas.

She was scratched again last week because Dunn felt a midweek trial, ironically needed for her to go 1350m first-up, took more out of her than expected.

“It’s a shame because that would have been a lovely race for her last week, but her blood picture said she would have raced flat if we started her,” he said.

“It’s not ideal going to this race first-up, but you have to expect tough opposition at carnival time. She’s more mature this time in and she proved herself up to stakes grade last time in.”

Trainer Tony Gollan.

Dunn is four wins adrift of Tony Gollan in the premiership, while Rob Heathcote’s Doomben double relegated Dunn back to third on the list.

“The last few weeks haven’t been great, but we have a few horses that will be ready to step up straight after the carnival, so I think we are still a chance (of winning the premiership),” Dunn said.

“But regardless of what happens, to lead the premiership for eight months in only our second year is a great result.

“I bought a lot of horses this year and fortunately was able to find owners for them pretty quickly. That’s one advantage of leading the premiership — people want to race horses with you and the timing of the sales worked well for us this year.

“I was able to buy some more expensive yearlings by sires like Redoute’s Choice. It’s nice to buy the horses you want to train.

“That sets us up nicely for next season, but I think we will still finish strongly this year.

“We’ve been plagued by bad barriers in the city over the past month and that always turns around eventually.

“It’s good to be in a position to challenge.”

Originally published as The Brisbane trainers’ premiership title is not Dunn and dusted just yet