Dunn bids for Magic Millions after closing Sydney stable

By Glenn Davis

Matthew Dunn’s decision to close his Sydney stables could be Brisbane’s gain as the Northern Rivers trainer looks to claim a Magic Millions Classic berth with Bertinelli in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Bertinelli is Dunn’s leading hope for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast next month but is 27th in the current order of entry and needs a major prize money boost to qualify.

The Calaway Gal Stakes, which carries a first prize purse of $87,000, has produced two winners of the Magic Millions Classic in recent times with Military Rose (2009) and Away Game (2019).

Bertinelli finished third on debut behind the Tony Gollan-trained Mighty in the 1100 metre Two-Year-Old Plate at the Gold Coast on November 26.

The son of Snitzel jumped from gate one and lead well into the straight before being collared by Mighty and Sydney filly Tango Fever to go down just over two lengths.

“I give her a great chance and she’s improved on her first run,” Dunn said.

“She had to do all the hard work in her first start and I’d like to see her get a more economical run this time.

“She was a $250,000 yearling at the Magic Millions sales and she’s got a good pedigree.

“I’ve got a couple of others looking to get into the Magic Millions Classic but she’s the most advanced.”

Dunn’s decision to close his Warwick Farm stable will mean his Murwillumbah base will now have around 100 horses in work from next week, with plans to build a further 20 stables.

Dunn opened his satellite stable at Rosehill two and a half years ago before moving to Warwick Farm partly because of his success winning 36 NSW Highway Handicaps.

“We made the decision last week to close the Sydney stable and move the team back up north,” Dunn said.

“The main reason is that we can’t get enough boxes in Sydney to compete.

“It’s nobody’s fault but with only 24 boxes at Warwick Farm we don’t have the scope to increase the size and it’s not economical with so few horses running and with a lot of babies.

“It’s a decision that had to be made and we’ve decided to head in a different direction.

“There are a few options in Brisbane looking forward to the middle of next year whether we set up another stable across the border.”