The Matthew Dunn-trained Resurrected will be chasing a fifth consecutive win when stepping up in grade to contest Thursday’s $85,000 Riverview Hotel Murwillumbah Cup.
Progressing through the grades, the 5YO Shalaa gelding kicked off his winning run at Grafton in May, triumphing for Andrew Mallyon ($3.70) in a 1435m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
The Murwillumbah-trained galloper then won at Grafton again on June 9 for Ben Looker ($2.15), this time in the 1430m Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap.
A trip across the border to the Gold Coast wasn’t an issue on July 5, with Resurrected (Cobi Vitler, $3) trouncing his rivals to win the 1300m Class Three Plate.
Most recently, Mathew McGuren ($3.40) was in the saddle when Resurrected took on his toughest test to date, cruising to a nearly two-length win in the 1400m Benchmark 64 Handicap at the Gold Coast on August 2.
It’s been a miraculous turnaround for the Dunn-trained galloper, who was at one stage an 11-start maiden.
Formerly trained by Annabel Archibald and then Annabel and Rob Archibald, Resurrected didn’t break through until start number 12, when taking out a 1670m Maiden Handicap at Ipswich in September 2024.
Following a stable change, Dunn has started the in-form galloper seven times for four wins.
At Murwillumbah, it’s a huge step up in class, taking on the 1550m Open Handicap, and the Darby Racing-owned gelding has drawn gate eight, while Jake Bayliss will take the ride.
A good race, stablemate Cranky Harry (Jett Newman, 56.5kg) won this race in 2024, is a Highway winner and has placed in the Listed company, running second in the 2024 Tattersalls Members Cup at Eagle Farm in October.
Tony Gollan prepares the in-form Castillian (Angela Jones, 57kg), with the 6YO winning recent races at Doomben and Ipswich.
At the same time, Brent Gray will start accomplished Brisbane metropolitan galloper Mississippi Prince (Luke Rolls, 59kg), which has drawn gate one.
Michael Hemmings also travels across the border, with the Warwick-trained Super Duck (Jai Williams, 56kg), set to arrive with good Brisbane metropolitan form.
Murwillumbah Tips – August 28
Race 1: #6 Meghan
Race 2: #3 Warrior Head
Race 3: #5 Vivika
Race 4: #5 Tewkesbury
Race 5: #12 Sorrenti
Race 6: #7 Godfather
Race 7: #4 Castillian
Race 8: #3 Pan A Million
