Dalton Shard Doubles Up in Group Three Feature

Dalton Shard (NZ) (Always B Miki) made doubly sure of his place in the Group One New Zealand Cup (3200m) with his victory in the $37,000 Group Three Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup (2600m).

The NZB Standardbred graduate won his second New Zealand Cup qualifier of the spring when spearing along the inner to score for trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn and driver Robbie Close at Addington on Friday night.

In what was something of a carbon copy of his victory in the Group Three Maurice Holmes Vase (2600m), Dalton Shard was tucked away on the inner throughout before charging at the line as soon as he got the opportunity.

Though he has stamped himself as the form horse of the spring by winning the only two New Zealand Cup qualifying races held so far, Close thinks there is still more improvement to come from Dalton Shard.

“He is just an honest wee horse and he has actually got better and better.”

“Let’s hope he keeps improving.”

Though the pacer has taken out two Group Three races by sitting off the pace, Close also thinks the horse is far from one-dimensional.

“He has got great standing start manners, he probably can do a bit of work in these better races.”

“But while he is still on his way up, three-fence is ideal.”

Dalton Shard was purchased by the Dunns’ Diamond Racing for $67,500 when he was offered by breeder-vendors Shard Farm at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch.

The Dunn stable produced the quinella in Friday night’s feature with another NZB Standardbred graduate in Charlie Brown (NZ) (Art Major) also spearing home along the inner to take second.

With head stable driver John Dunn set to continue to drive Charlie Brown, Close may realise a harness racing dream if he is able to partner Dalton Shard in the Group One New Zealand Cup (3200m).

“We are hoping to get Charlie Brown in and he has been so consistent, he will keep going up the rankings,” Robert Dunn said.

“So, if he gets it then Johnny will more than likely drive him and Robbie can stay on Dalton Shard.”

“There is a lot of water to go under the bridge yet but that would be the plan at this stage.”

The run of the race outside of the first two horses home came from another NZB Standardbred graduate in Ohoka Connor (NZ) (Sunshine Beach).

The four-year-old botched the start of the New Brighton Cup before staging a huge recovery to run fourth.