Matthew Dunn has an ‘above average type’ on his hands in the form of his three-year-old gelding, Goomeri.
A son of Vancouver out of Mountain Laurel, Goomeri has been ultra-impressive at his two starts to date.
He came out on debut at Port Macquarie on May 19, and with Ben Looker in the saddle, the Murwillumbah galloper put almost five lengths on the field when registering a very good 1:11.89 for the 1208m journey.
He then stepped up in class on his home track on Sunday and contested the 1200m Class Two Handicap, Looker was again in the saddle, and Goomeri thrived on a soft seven, pulling away for a dominant 2.69 lengths win.
“He’s doing a good job,” Dunn said.
“We elected to hold him back to a slightly easier grade for one more (run) and let him build a bit more confidence; he’s done a good job on those (horses), and with the track the way it was, he obviously handles all surfaces now.”
Goomeri will be one to watch going forward, and Dunn praised the ownership group for giving their galloper the time he needed to mature into the horse he is today.
“The sky’s the limit with him; he’s going to get further; he’s got a lovely big stride, which suggests to me he will get to a mile and beyond,” Dunn said.
“I think the owners have been very patient with him; they elected to look after him and coddle him through, and it’s paid dividends.
“The breed tends to improve with a little bit of time, and he’s a good example of that.”
With Dunn now classed solely as an NSW country trainer after closing his Sydney stable late last year, his yard will begin to target Highway Handicaps again.
Goomeri will be their first Highway hopeful, and he will be set for the 1200m Class Three Highway Handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, June 17.
“I don’t want to over-tax him this preparation, but there is a Highway race at the end of the month that’s got his name all over it,” Dunn said.
“That will probably be his next stop, and it will give him the opportunity to have a trip away and progress and help with his education.
“Who knows where he ends up eventually, but he’s an exciting horse, and I’m certainly happy him in the stable.”
Dunn enjoyed another excellent day on his home track on Sunday, with Goomeri part of a stable treble.
Joining Goomeri ($2) in the winner’s circle was Kermantic (Brodie Loy, $3.10), which won the 1550m Benchmark 58 Handicap, and Take The Kitty (Ben Looker, $1.60), which was a comfortable winner in the 1100m Maiden Plate.
For all results from Murwillumbah, click here.
