Dunn declares the "Duke" his best hope

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Matt Dunn has given punters a strong lead declaring former Sydneysider Duke Of Buckingham as the stable’s best hope from a big contingent at Doomben on Wednesday.

The experienced trainer Dunn believes Duke Of Buckingham is up to winning in Saturday grade but has opted for a low-key Brisbane debut in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 2060 metres.

Duke Of Buckingham, who is set to be ridden by Michael Cahill (pictured), is one of eight entries for Dunn at Doomben and one of 26 horses he acquired from the stables of disqualified Sydney trainer David Pfieffer.

The son of Street Boss is owned by Waratah Thoroughbreds, who had 26 horses in work when Pfieffer was outed two months ago and most have been transferred to Dunn, who has stables at Warwick Farm and Murwillumbah in Northern NSW.

“I’ve inherited a lot of horses from David’s stable and most are owned by Waratah,” Dunn said.

“I train about 10 horses myself for Waratah and I sent Duke Of Buckingham up to Brisbane to boost his confidence and he’s fit and well.

“He’s definitely up to Saturday class but this looks a nice race for him to kick off in Brisbane and he should be very hard to beat.”

Duke Of Buckingham has drawn barrier eight with stable-mate Whodat on his inside in gate seven.

Duke Of Buckingham has had four starts for Dunn, winning twice at Hawkesbury and is coming off a last start fourth on a heavy track in a Benchmark race at Gosford on July 15.

“If he races well, I might look at something over the summer carnival with him,” Dunn said.

Dunn believes Whodat is also a strong hope after finishing second at his past two starts at Doomben and Eagle Farm.

“It’s a shame they are in the same race as Whodat is racing very well but I doubt he can beat Duke Of Buckingham,” Dunn said.

“He’ll get back but he’s a late finisher so I’m expecting to see him flash home.

“He’s in this race because it’ll be his last chance to pick up some QTIS prize money.”

Dunn has warned he’s unlikely to start all eight entries on Wednesday and is likely to scratch Quantum from the Class 1 Plate and Divine Eleven from the Class 3 Handicap after the pair drew poorly.