Trainer
Matthew Dunn collected the expenses for his overseas honeymoon when promising
three-year-old Congo scored an impressive victory at Doomben on Saturday.
Stepping up
from 1200 metres to 1600 metres, jockey Jeff Lloyd allowed Congo to circle the
field after being last in the middle stages before downing Fantisha by 2-1/4
lengths in the Brothers Seven Gold Handicap (1600m).
Offense was
a further head away third.
Dunn will
marry his partner of four years Keira Calland at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold
Coast on Sunday before spending his honeymoon in Las Vegas and Mexico.
"We're
flying out for Las Vegas on Tuesday and winning this is a nice way to go,"
Dunn said.
Dunn believes
Congo has a bright future and has nominated the son of Flying Spur for the G1
Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in Melbourne in October.
"It's
still early days but if he's good enough we might take him to Melbourne in the
spring," Dunn said.
"I've
nominated him for the Caulfield Guineas but it's only one race we're looking at.
"I'll
put him in another 1600 metres race at Eagle Farm in two weeks and if he's
impressive again like today I'll probably take him to Melbourne."
Dunn, who spent
11 years working as foreman for Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan before opening stables at Murwillumbah, conceded it was not
the best time of the year to be racing Congo.
"It's
an awkward time right now but I think he'll make a god carnival horse next winter,"
he said.
"He's
a pretty good horse and what I like most about him is his attitude."
Congo was
bred by Mark and Cheryl Lowe, who also raced stablemate The Reveller who later finished
sixth behind Too Many Reds in the Mc Innes Wilson Handicap (1110m).
Congo is out
of Fleur De Chine, who started 16 times for three wins and eight
placings for former leading Kiwi trainer Dave O'Sullivan in the late 1990's.
"Congo's
got a lovely pedigree but I think he's the first winner his mother has thrown but
we've got a Lonhro colt who has just turned two and he's coming along
well," Dunn said.
"We haven't
trialled him yet as he's just been broken in."
Racing Queensland webnews August 4
Photo: Trackside Photography
