A brave front-running win from Leebaz has provided in-form apprentice Dylan Dunn with his biggest success in the Easter Cup at Caulfield.
In a daring ride, Leebaz bowled along in front then fought back after being headed by Guardini to win Saturday’s race by a short head with Observational a head away third.
The son of jockey Dwayne Dunn, the apprentice had earlier won on Miss Promiscuity and less than a fortnight ago landed a city treble at Moonee Valley.
The apprentice said it was satisfying to secure his first Group race win.
“To be honest, I have to thank my parents and all my family,” Dunn said.
“All the support over the years has been fantastic. People didn’t think I’d be a jockey and here we are and I just won a Group Three. So cop that.”
Leebaz was chasing his first victory since last year’s Hollindale Stakes and was stepping up from 1400m to 2000m.
Dunn said Leebaz charged after crossing to lead which had him opening up a three length advantage until approaching the home turn.
“But in saying that, although there was a distance between me and the second horse, down the side I was able to get a good couple of furlongs to just get a breather back and then start to reassess and roll into the race,” Dunn said.
Dunn’s father is the regular rider for Hawkes Racing in Melbourne and Dylan said getting the ride for the stable was a confidence boost.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes admitted he thought Leebaz was beaten before the turn.
“Dylan Dunn is riding on the crest of a wave. It’s amazing, when you put the apprentices on these older horses sometimes, they do things they shouldn’t have done,” Hawkes said..
Meanwhile, ex-Peter Moody-trained Cool Chap won the final race on Saturday’s card for Lee and Anthony Freedman after arriving at their stable three days ago.
Three jockeys were suspended for careless riding on Saturday.
Ryan Maloney and Ben Thompson received nine-meeting bans and Tom Sadler seven.
