A TOUCH of Dexter Dunn magic helped John Bartlett earn his first training win, with Verdun, at Forbury Park last night. Bartlett took out his train› ing licence in August this year and has about 10 hor› ses in work at his base near Ashworths
Beach, in Canterbury.
Bartlett was kept busy with ungearing the mare and tak› ing her to be swabbed last night, but his father,
Graham, who trained the 4yr›old mare at Oamaru previously, said John had helped when he was train› ing, and had spent almost two years working for Cran Dalgety.
‘‘He hasn't forgotten a thing he learned,'' Graham Bartlett said. ‘‘He's got a team and his partner [Virginia Mackle] has gallopers.''
A full brother to Verdun is being broken in at the Ashworths Beach property.
Dunn's drive was another demonstration of his brilliance in the sulky, pushing forward to sit parked before sliding into the trail when Canasta surged for› ward to hold the early lead.
Dunn ended up with four wins after winning the maiden trot with Springfield Eyre, and the c1›c3 trot with Ngaire Margaret.
His last win was on the Graeme Anderson›trained Mako Banner, who will head to Christ› church this weekend to prepare for New Zealand Cup week, along with stablemates Starsky's Dream and Titan Banner.
A first for driver
The meeting also provided a first win for driver David White - in this country, at least.
White (23) has been in New Zealand for a month, and is working for West Melton trainers Graham and Paul Court.
He has driven 120 winners in Australia, including a metropoli› tan double at Menangle, but decided he needed a change after two years working for Blake Fitzpatrick.
‘‘I decided to come over here and meet a few people and try something different.''
White grew up in the Riverina region in southwest New South Wales.
‘‘My whole family's involved in it [harness racing]. It's in the blood and I didn't really have any choice about it.''
White's win last night behind Terror To Love's half›sister, Mach's Love, came after four other drives in New Zealand.
‘‘If I can start picking up a few outside drives, that would be a bonus. But if I keep getting a few drives and learning new things, I'll be happy.''
Success continues
Daryl Trainor continued his successful association with the progeny of Washington VC with Be Me's maiden victory over 2200m at his 30th start.
The Washington VC gelding had his first race for Trainor in June after being raced from the Ashburton stables of Ben Wald› ron for his first 20 starts.
Trainor's last four winners - Be Me, Washington's Flier, Lady Brownhouse and Paris H - are all by the Bryleigh Stud›based sire.
Highland Reign has also taken her time returning to the win› ner's circle, finally breaking the duck at her 21st start last night.
‘‘She was a nice 2yr old,'' trainer Bruce Negus said. ‘‘We thought she was going to be really good but it's taken a long time for her to mature. But she's been working really good this time in and she's looked better than she ever has.
So we were confident with a good run, and Blair [Orange] gave her the perfect run.''
Negus trains the McArdle mare for Greg Brodie.
