Saturday marks the 75th anniversary of the first meeting the club held at the Orari circuit.
I Dream Of Jeannie will be a leading competitor in the main trot of the day in Orari, the Fresh Choice Geraldine Trotters Cup (4.34pm).
In her last start, the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained eight-year-old achieved a huge finish to win the Group 2 Grand Duchess at Addington on November 21. It was her eighth victory in 99 starts.
“She does start on 25 metres, but it is not an overly large field,” says driver John Dunn, “and she has trained well since that last win.”
Dunn also confirms that it won’t be long before she heads to the broodmare pasture.
“We have been given the green light that she is pregnant Tactical approach.”
With three wins in his last four starts, the Bob Butt-trained and driven Tactical Bid looks to be I Dream Of Jeannie’s toughest rival as Maui looks to repeat his success from 2024.
The Dunns’ Diamond Racing also takes on It’s Tough in the Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup (3.24pm).
The four-year-old gelding won three in a row before finishing ninth in Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington on Show Day, but he faces the highly talented The Lazarus Effect, who is priced at $1.60 in the early markets. It’s Tough costs $3.10.
“It’s well placed, but the Lazarus effect will be hard to beat,” says Dunn.
It will also be It’s Tough’s first standing start, although Dunn doesn’t expect any problems.
The Dunns achieved victory number 100 for 2024 when Burt won in Timaru yesterday. They are third in the premiership behind Steve and Amanda Telfer on 158 and Michael House on 102.
With favorable weather forecasts and much-needed rain throughout the week, the track is expected to be in good condition for the meeting, which starts at 12.05pm.
The club are hoping for a big crowd, with almost 500 people in their Christmas At The Races tents alone.
“About 50 percent of that is repeat customers,” says committee member Jackie Nelson, “which is great.”
“If the weather plays its part, we would like to have around 2,000 spectators.”
The “Lean On A Gate” passing lane will also be in action. It is the club’s way of supporting the mental health program that Craig Wiggins and his team are running in rural communities.
“Wiggy”, as he is called, will also be present on the course as a clerk during the meeting.
To see the Geraldine fields, click here
By means of Dave Di SommaHarness News Desk
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