By Glenn Davis
Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn is hoping to plot a future staying path after his newly acquired imports Mirann and Eaglemont clash in the Class 4 Handicap at Doomben on Wednesday.
Rising eight-year-old Mirann did his early racing in France and Ireland for trainer Johnny Murtagh before OTI Racing bought him as a staying prospect and sent him to Sydney trainer John O’Shea.
Eaglemont is also raced by OTI Racing after being sold and sent to Australia.
He won twice in nine starts for co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Victoria.
Dunn rates Eaglemont as the pick of his pair after the six-year-old was beaten less than two lengths when fifth to Brigantine in his stable debut in a 1350 metre Class 3 race at Doomben on May 20.
“Eaglemont should have won first-up when he got back and circled the field,” Dunn said.
“It was a terrific run and he should win this time while Mirann needs further.
“I’ll see how they go but both will probably need to step up in distance further as they go through their campaigns.”
Mirann did not win in eight starts for O’Shea before he was moved on to Dunn, who has started the gelding three times.
A son of UK sire Motivator, Mirann beat only two home in a 1350 metre Class 3 event at Doomben last month.
He was beaten less than five lengths.
Mirann will be again be ridden by Ryan Maloney while Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller has retained the ride on Eaglemont.