Australia still on the map as trainer charts a course for success

A HORSE afforded the unflattering last start comment of “will be retired” by the respected Best Bets publication will try and resurrect his career at Saturday’s Gold Coast meeting.

Groovy Gal makes her return to racing on Saturday. Picture: Trackside Photography

A HORSE afforded the unflattering last start comment of “will be retired” by the respected Best Bets publication will try and resurrect his career at Saturday’s Gold Coast meeting.

After finishing last at Rosehill in July, This Is Australia was transferred to Matt Dunn’s stable and the Murwillumbah trainer is expecting a big run first up in the Palm Beach Plate (Race 5) on Saturday.

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John Singleton’s racing manager and fellow part-owner Duncan Grimley rang Dunn four months ago to give the gelding another chance.

“Duncan thought it might be worth trying him in a different environment,” Dunn said.

“He’s a pretty handy horse if he can do his best.

“He’s a really fast horse and he wants to get everything over at a million miles an hour, but I think we have him in a good spot mentally.”

This Is Australia was restrained before running second to stablemate Groovy Gal in a recent trial, where Dunn’s wife Keira rode the son of More Than Ready.

“Keira really had to strangle him but she was happy how he came off the bridle after that,” Dunn said.

If she let him run, he would have led the trial by five lengths and that would have defeated the purpose, but he trialled really well.

“We are trying to take baby steps with him. He needs to relax in his races, that’s why I thought the 900m first up would suit.”

Matt Dunn goes to the Gold Coast full of confidence with his runners. Picture: Supplied

Groovy Gal also resumes on Saturday and Dunn rates her a top chance, provided she comes through the run unharmed.

“She’s had two heart arrhythmia’s, so I have tried to get her to the races as fit as I can,” he said.

“She’s in a good spot and I think she’s my best hope — if she doesn’t have a heart attack.”

Other stable runners on Saturday include backmarker Royal Occasion and the handy stayer Caillebotte.

“All of Royal Occasion’s best runs are early in the prep. He’s not fit yet, but he seems to race well that way,” Dunn said.

“His big problem is his racing pattern. Hopefully they are running on. He’s in a race he can win and he’s going pretty well.”

“Caillebotte should have won last start, but he might need one more run yet.”

Dunn will have Saxton Rock and probably Arrestar in next week’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but his best chance of securing some of the big cash on offer is with Madotti in the QTIS race.

“She just needs to draw a gate. Tye Angland made the comment to me that she’s a lot angrier now. She’s more determined,” he said.

“She’s a really good mare. Her record reads awful but it should be about eight wins instead of three.”

Originally published as Australia still on the map as trainer charts a course for success