Harness racing: Cups king Dunn eyes up mighty trotting surprise at The Park
Add to that the potential fitness doubts over Bet N Win, who missed that lead-up race last Friday, and all of a sudden Mighty Logan becomes the horse to beat in the Rowe Cup.
'It is getting to the stage where he has to have a good chance,' Dunn says.
'He has the manners and if he settles handy, that gives him a big advantage over Oscar and Muscle Mountain.
'We all know how good Bet N Win is but he missed a race last week, which isn't easy when you are racing over 3200m, so a lot has gone right for us that hasn't for other horses.'
Dunn says Mighty Logan always had the potential to be a Cup winner but his improvement, coupled with others' disadvantages, means his time may come sooner than expected.
Still, he is a nine-win horse up against some more proven stars so will need to produce the same level of performance as last Friday to complete the double.
Either Oscar Bonavena or Muscle Mountain could win without surprising while Bet N Win is talented enough and could sit handy on the markers doing no work, the usual path to 3200m glory at Alexandra Park.
Earlier in the night, Dunn will partner Ya Rite Darl (Race 7, No 6) in the Woodlands Trotting Oaks against her own stablemate Frazzled and favourite Habibti Pat.
Habibti Pat was the best of the three in the Derby last Friday but if Ya Rite Darl can use her gate speed to cross to the lead, that will be a huge help.
The stable also has a handy filly in Cool For Cats (R8, No 1) in the Delightful Lady Final and her tactics could be crucial as, if she leads, then Australian visitor Ripples could get the race-winning trail but if she doesn't hold the lead, it becomes advantage to Alecto.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Pahalu Set To Make History
Press Release – Auckland FC AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Videesha Pahalu will make history when she helps coach Auckland City FC in their Delivereasy Chatham Cup Round 3 match with Waiheke United on Saturday. Pahalu has coached at youth level for the club for several years and most recently stepped up to assist Martin Brandon with Auckland City FC's U-23 men's team. She said: 'It's honestly an absolute honour. To be trusted in that environment, even in a temporary capacity, means a lot — not just to me, but hopefully to other young women who are trying to break into football. 'Auckland City FC has always been a club that supports growth, inclusivity, and development, and being part of the first team staff, even for a short time, is something I'll carry with pride. 'I've been with the club since I was 19 years old and started from skills centres and school teams — so to now contribute in the first-team space is surreal. 'I'm grateful for the support, and I hope it's a small step towards normalising female and Pasifika coaches in men's and boys football,' she said. Pahalu, Brandon and manager, Dinesh Chand, will lead a young and inexperienced Auckland City FC into their Cup tie with Waiheke United with the first team away in the United States at the FIFA Club World Cup™. But for Pahalu and her colleagues the step up won't be done alone – the trio have worked at youth level together in the past, as she explains. 'The U-23 space has been a rewarding coaching environment. It's a unique bridge between youth and senior football — the pace, the intensity, and the mindset are all at a different level. 'But what makes it really special for me is reconnecting with players I've worked with in the youth grades and seeing how far they've come. 'Watching them step up, represent the club at a higher level, and push each other day in, day out — it's genuinely fulfilling. I feel proud seeing their growth and knowing I've had a small part in their journey.' Pahalu's next goal is to complete her B License and to keep evolving as a coach. 'I'd love to be in football full time — whether that's in development pathways, senior football, or even mentoring future coaches. 'For now, I balance my full-time role as a stormwater engineer with my coaching commitments, but football is my happy place. It's where I reset and refocus. 'I'm still young, and I know there's a long way to go, but I want to keep using my experiences to help open doors for others — especially for young players and coaches who might not always see a clear path in the sport. 'If I can help create opportunities and environments where they can thrive, that's success to me.' Pahalu is also excited for Paul Posa's team as they prepare to take on Bayern Munich in Cincinnati. 'Everyone at Kiwitea Street wishes the squad all the best for their game with Bayern. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the players and coaches and everyone here sends the team our best.' Auckland City FC take on Waiheke United on Saturday 14 June 2025 at Kiwitea Street, Sandringham, at 2.00pm NZST. ABOUT AUCKLAND CITY FC: Auckland City FC plays in the New Zealand domestic football competition (Northern League, National League Championship and Chatham Cup) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League from its whenua at Kiwitea Street in Sandringham, Auckland and was founded in 2004.
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Scoop
Pahalu Set To Make History
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Videesha Pahalu will make history when she helps coach Auckland City FC in their Delivereasy Chatham Cup Round 3 match with Waiheke United on Saturday. Pahalu has coached at youth level for the club for several years and most recently stepped up to assist Martin Brandon with Auckland City FC's U-23 men's team. She said: 'It's honestly an absolute honour. To be trusted in that environment, even in a temporary capacity, means a lot — not just to me, but hopefully to other young women who are trying to break into football. 'Auckland City FC has always been a club that supports growth, inclusivity, and development, and being part of the first team staff, even for a short time, is something I'll carry with pride. 'I've been with the club since I was 19 years old and started from skills centres and school teams — so to now contribute in the first-team space is surreal. 'I'm grateful for the support, and I hope it's a small step towards normalising female and Pasifika coaches in men's and boys football,' she said. Pahalu, Brandon and manager, Dinesh Chand, will lead a young and inexperienced Auckland City FC into their Cup tie with Waiheke United with the first team away in the United States at the FIFA Club World Cup™. But for Pahalu and her colleagues the step up won't be done alone - the trio have worked at youth level together in the past, as she explains. 'The U-23 space has been a rewarding coaching environment. It's a unique bridge between youth and senior football — the pace, the intensity, and the mindset are all at a different level. 'But what makes it really special for me is reconnecting with players I've worked with in the youth grades and seeing how far they've come. 'Watching them step up, represent the club at a higher level, and push each other day in, day out — it's genuinely fulfilling. I feel proud seeing their growth and knowing I've had a small part in their journey.' Pahalu's next goal is to complete her B License and to keep evolving as a coach. 'I'd love to be in football full time — whether that's in development pathways, senior football, or even mentoring future coaches. 'For now, I balance my full-time role as a stormwater engineer with my coaching commitments, but football is my happy place. It's where I reset and refocus. 'I'm still young, and I know there's a long way to go, but I want to keep using my experiences to help open doors for others — especially for young players and coaches who might not always see a clear path in the sport. 'If I can help create opportunities and environments where they can thrive, that's success to me.' Pahalu is also excited for Paul Posa's team as they prepare to take on Bayern Munich in Cincinnati. 'Everyone at Kiwitea Street wishes the squad all the best for their game with Bayern. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the players and coaches and everyone here sends the team our best.' Auckland City FC take on Waiheke United on Saturday 14 June 2025 at Kiwitea Street, Sandringham, at 2.00pm NZST. ABOUT AUCKLAND CITY FC: Auckland City FC plays in the New Zealand domestic football competition (Northern League, National League Championship and Chatham Cup) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League from its whenua at Kiwitea Street in Sandringham, Auckland and was founded in 2004.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Panthers savage Oilers to lead 2-1
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart (right) celebrates with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky after the Panthers' win over the Edminton Oilers in game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals in Sunrise, Florida, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS The Florida Panthers did not pull any punches against the visiting Edmonton Oilers in game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals yesterday. The Panthers scored in the opening minute and did not let up in the scrappy, penalty-filled game, cruising to a 6-1 victory in Sunrise, Florida. The result gives the Panthers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series heading to game 4 in Sunrise on Friday. Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues each grabbed a goal and an assist, Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett also scored, and Eetu Luostarinen collected two assists for the Panthers, who are trying to become the third team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in the past 10 years. Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves for Florida, who went 3-for-11 on the power play and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill. "We talk about being composed," Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "If you've got to take a punch in the face, a slash in the face, a cross-check, a slash in the leg, whatever the case is, you've got to do it. There's a bigger picture with the win here for us. We just wanted to protect ourselves, protect our team-mates when needed, but at the end of the day, you've got to be smart in a game like this, and I thought our team did that." Corey Perry scored for the Oilers, who are hoping to become the first franchise from Canada to win the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Stuart Skinner surrendered five goals on 23 shots before he was replaced early in the third period by Calvin Pickard, who finished with seven saves. "We didn't play very well. We have nobody to blame but ourselves," Edmonton left winger Evander Kane said. "We can definitely be a lot better." — Field Level Media
