Matt Dunn scores Magic Millions success with Madotti at third try

MATT Dunn has revealed a decision to take control of the horses he wanted to train helped him land $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Open winner Madotti.

Madotti (left) wins at the Gold Coast. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

MATT Dunn has revealed a decision to take control of the horses he wanted to train helped him land $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Open winner Madotti.

Dunn celebrated the biggest win of his training career when Madotti claimed redemption at Australia’s richest race day after finishing fourth in the 2YO Classic two years ago and fifth in the 3YO Guineas last year.

The win vindicated Dunn’s bold decision to invest his own money to buy Madotti for $80,000 at the 2014 March yearling sales.

The amount was more than enough at the time for a man building his stable without an owner lined up.

Dunn simply bought horses he wanted to train.

Madotti was the first in the plan, with he and bloodstock agent Neil Jenkinson targeting the Falvelon-Mighty Illusion filly.

“When we bought her that was the first year we stepped up and decided we needed to have a little more control over the horses we were going to train,” the Murwillumbah-based Dunn said.

“We didn’t have anyone to own her when we purchased her and at the time $80,000 was enough money.

“She was the most expensive horse we had bought at the time. It’s a little easier now than what it was four years ago.

“It was a big decision. We only had 30 in work at that time so it was a brave move but it’s paid off.”

Dunn has been training in his own right for four years after first launching a stable on the NSW north coast as a satellite for Sydney-based trainer Gerald Ryan.

Madotti won $602,500 on Saturday to take her earnings to $1,031,220 from 19 starts.

Dunn said the win partially made up for some horrendously bad luck in previous Magic Millions campaigns for Madotti who drew barrier 11 and 12 in the 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas respectively.

“She has been plagued by bad luck for a long time and it’s great to see her get the job done,” Dunn said.

Mark Lowe, of Paradise Point, one of the owners to buy into Madotti, said connections were overwhelmed to finally see Madotti have success.

“Neil Jenkinson is a very good judge and practically my best mate,” Lowe said.

“He has been managing our horses for a long time and puts us in the right direction.

“Buying a Falvelon was unheard of at the time but she’s been good.”