There are a number of the smaller kennels around the country who are currently enjoying a considerable amount of success. Included is Jason Dunn who has prepared a steady stream of recent winners from his Harwarden training establishment. Last Thursday evening was no different as seen by the tidy five Addington winners that the ardent Tigers NRL supporter produced.
Pictured: Business Ethics delivering his stylish Addington NZRS Sprint win (pic Dave Robbie)
Last Thursday evening saw the running of the $8,500 NZRS Sprint final and the Dunn kennels was represented by two finalists. Included was Business Ethics who had previously won his 295m heat in 17.26s. He was loaded away into the three trap for the decider from where he won the break and he was never headed when he delivered his bold 17.16s feature race victory.
That now brings in long time industry participants Ron and Rosemary Blackburn, This couple have been hugely successful breeders, trainers and owners off their own quality racing stock for many decades.
Here’s a classic example of that longevity the couple has had. Business Ethics is a member of the August 2016 whelped litter between Business Time and Dixie Lee. Both dad and mum enjoyed considerable success on the tracks for the Blackburn’s.
Business Time (Big Daddy Cool – Burst Away, December 2007) contested 60 races, winning 32 of them and was placed on another 15 occasions. He banked $46,703. Dixie Lee (Wiselee – Royal Reprieve, May 2010) was referred to as the Queen of Addington such was her dominance over her rival 295m sprinters during her outstanding 98 race career. 90 of her career races was the Christchurch headquarters track and it was the venue that yielded her with 57 of her 59 race wins. She concluded her career as the winner of $85,649 in stake earnings.
Business Ethics has now raced on 43 occasions and he has been the victor in 16 of those races. He placed in another 12 of his races, with his stake earnings now sitting at $25,467.
Anyway, back to Thursday’s NZRS Sprint final where starting as the warm $2.60 favourite from the eight trap after his smart 17.18s heat win was the Robin Wales prepared Our Dazzel. This bloke hooked a left turn, cutting down towards the rail. Before getting there he straighten up and then boldly chased after the pace making Business Ethics. This son of Spring Gun and Opawa Gem close to a three quarter length margin when securing the runners up prize for his owners and breeders Opawa Racing.
Pressing on solidly a further three length behind was the Alison Lee trained Dahteste who hopped away from the ace trap and maintained a forward position throughout this sprint. Lee and her partner Merv O’Brian also breed their own racing stock therefore it was just reward for them this daughter of Apache Jet and Angel Of Mine secured some of the bonus breeders’ dollars that was attached to this final.
Finishing just in behind this place getters just a head behind in fourth was Inside Affair (Fast Archer – Business Affair) for yep, you guessed it the Dunn and Blackburn combination.
Earlier in the evening the Dunn (trainer) and Blackburn (owner) partnership watched the exciting sprint prospect Versailles crush his C3 rivals when this son of Fast Archer and Fleur Du Liys complete his 295m sprint assignment in a quick 17.12s, when he claimed his seventh career win in just his ninth race day outing.
Trainer Jason Dunn with Thursday’s NZRS Sprint winner Business Ethics joined by GRNZ Board member Dave Emerson; Business Ethics is flanked by runner up Our Dazzel who is with handler Wendy Stephens, while trainer Alison Lee brought back the third placed Dahteste; the exciting up and coming sprinter Versailles is pictured here delivering an earlier career 295m win - pics supplied by Dave Robbie – drobbie91@gmail.com – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
By Peter Fenemor
