A decision to delay retirement for Amalfi Dreams will be vindicated if she wins the Nudgee Quality at Doomben on Saturday.
Amalfi Dreams was stud-bound last year with only a Ballarat Maiden win next to her name before her owners had a change of heart and she was transferred to Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn.
“Initially she went to Vinery Stud in Victoria but then her owners decided to give her one more chance up here and she’s more than paid her way,” Dunn said.
The mare rounded off her preparation for Saturday’s assignment with a comfortable win against midweek company at Doomben on January 9.
“Winning that midweek race was a good stepping stone to this race and she looks great at the moment,” Dunn said.
The Doomben track is likely to be significantly rain-affected on Saturday but Dunn isn’t too concerned about the conditions that might confront Amalfi Dreams.
“Even though she’s only raced up to a dead rating, I’m not too worried if it’s going to be a heavy track,” he said.
Dunn will also be represented at Doomben by the in-form Epic Terra who steps up to 1600 metres for the first time in the Timeform Handicap.
“He races so far above his ability it’s amazing,” Dunn said.
“After each race he goes home and lays down for three days because he doesn’t hold back. I love those horses, I think everyone does.”
Smart three-year-old Caldetes will race in blinkers for the first time in the Channel Seven Handicap (1200m).
“He fell over coming out of the gates first-up and although he still ran well, he was looking to get in behind other horses in the straight,” Dunn said.
“I’ve worked him in blinkers a couple of times and he was really strong and most importantly didn’t want to run through the bridle which I was worried about.
“Glen Colless came down and galloped him in blinkers a couple of times for me and said `we’ve got to put them on on raceday, he works too well in them’.”
