Matt Dunn’s latest Highway Handicap winner has stamped himself as a contender for the $1.3 million Kosciuszko.
Lifesaver has become the Murwillumbah trainer’s 18th winner of the Highway races for country-trained horses with his victory over 1100 metres at Rosehill on Saturday.
The lure of the big prize on the support program for the $13 million Everest on October 13 at Randwick is on the minds of most country trainers including Dunn.
“We have always had a big opinion of Lifesaver and he races best first-up and when fresh,” Dunn’s wife and stable representative Keira Dunn said.
“Matthew has The Kosciuszko in mind so he will need to keep stepping up.”
Ridden by Tye Angland, Lifesaver ($5.50) travelled just behind the pace and was urged along in the straight.
He had a length to spare on Table Mountain ($4.80) with Risk And Reward ($7.50) another 1-1/4 lengths away.
“It was a good win,” Angland said.
“We just had the right run in behind them and had a good enough turn of foot to beat them.
“You go back through the Dunn stable’s stats in these races and they are just so strong, I’m just lucky enough to ride for them.”
