Star jockey Dwayne Dunn hopes to make it five Blue Diamond wins on Saturday
Star jockey Dwayne Dunn made the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield his own with a record run of four-straight wins from 2005 to 2008.
It’s an achievement the jockey is obviously proud of although as he heads into this year’s race on Roomooz, he jokes that the years have ticked by since that winning streak.
“It’s been a while now,” Dunn said.
“I need to go to the antique store and buy a VHS recorder (to watch them), it’s that long ago.
“It’s been a great race to me. Not only the four in a row, but every year I seem to be competitive in it. It’s a great day on my racing calendar.”
Dunn’s Blue Diamond success started with Undoubtedly’s win for trainer Mark Kavanagh.
The jockey followed it up with wins on David Hayes-trained runners – Nadeem, Sleek Chassis and Reaan.
He shares the Blue Diamond riding record of four wins with the late Roy Higgins.
Dunn’s hopes of a fifth win this year rest with the Tony McEvoy-trained Roomooz who he rode in her second start when she finished fourth in the Fillies Prelude, almost two lengths behind Saturday’s favourite Catchy.
“I go into the race on Saturday not saying that we’re going to be one of the favourites, but we’re going to be a top five chance and the right run in transit will determine the outcome,” Dunn said.
He admitted he would have liked to have seen a bit more from Roomooz in the Prelude, but said he believed the filly would have taken improvement from that run.
“I was caught on the rail and I had to come back and wait for Craig (Williams on Catchy) to get momentum and then come off his back. And then she just wanted to lay out in the straight,” he said.
“So she will improve with that run with fitness and experience. She’s going to have winkers on and her work on Monday was great.”
DWAYNE DUNN’S BLUE DIAMOND RECORD
2005: Undoubtedly – WON
2006: Nadeem – WON
2007: Sleek Chassis – WON
2008: Reaan – WON
2009: Maka Ena – THIRD
2010: No ride
2011: Masthead – THIRD
2012: Mama’s Choice – SEVENTH
2013: Gregers – FOURTH
2014: No ride
2015: Lake Geneva – THIRD
2016: Star Turn – FIFTH
