Dunn celebrates as Rothenburg salutes
MURWILLUMBAH trainer Matt Dunn says he will probably drop the blinkers from Rothenburg after celebrating the first win of the colt’s career at the Gold Coast.
Rothenburg won Saturday’s QTIS Two-Years-Old Maiden Handicap (1200m) on a soft track at Aquis Park with Luke Dittman in the saddle in a breakthrough victory for the colt in the fourth run of his career.
The win didn’t come without its challenges, with Rothenburg still over-racing early and wobbling down the straight.
“He still has lots to learn,” Dunn said. “When he got to the front he wobbled all over the place, like he does.
“He is probably going to be better on firmer ground.
“He looked a bit shorter than he would but despite that he was still pretty impressive. (Dittman) rode him well. The horse probably did the rest. He is going to get better. The blinkers will probably come off next start, he just wanted to over-do it a bit in them.
“Once he gets over a bit further he will improve, and improve when he is three as well. He is still working it all out. Once the penny drops he will be fine.”
Rothenburg finished second in the second run of his debut preparation in April and Dunn believes he could have had even more success.
“He probably should have nearly won his first two starts of his prep but nothing went his way,” Dunn said.
“He had no luck but (on Saturday) he finally got some and got the job done.
“He is green too. He is one of those horses that takes a bit of time to pick things up and he probably doesn’t do himself any favours. The talent is there he just has to get him in the right place.”
Dunn will wait to see how Rothenburg recovers before deciding where he places him next and said he might even send him for a spell.
It was a successful day for Dunn, who also had Spot On Spud win the QTIS ThreeYears-Old Handicap (900m) and Lifesaver take out the TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap (1000m) at Randwick.