Dunn’s drive big factor

CHRISTCHURCH: A peach of a drive from Dexter Dunn got Bettor Joy up to win the $85,625 group 2 Ladyship Stakes at Alexandra Park in Auckland last night.

‘‘We’ve become accustomed to picking up the dregs in recent times, so we’ll enjoy this while we can,’’ successful Canterbury trainer Cran Dalgety said.

‘‘On three occasions during the running Dexter was in the right place at the right time and that proved the difference . . .

‘‘He drove her to perfection.’’ Secondfavourite Dizzy Miss Lizzy worked round to lead down the straight with a lap to run, but failed to finish her race off.

As she compounded on the point of the home turn, Elle Mac hit the front and Bettor Joy worked into the clear to get over the top of her.

The progeny of Bettor’s Delight filled the first five spots.

Temporale added another big race to his resume, the $50,000 Lyell Creek Stakes.

In the hands of his trainer, Tony Herlihy, Temporale was given a perfect run in the oneone for most of the race and had too much speed in the run to the line.

He narrowly defied a strong late burst from Speeding Spur, who was having his first start back from an injury layoff.

‘‘We just got in the right spot and everything worked out for us. He found the line well,’’ Herlihy said.

Temporale will miss theTrotters Flying Mile at Cambridge on Christmas Eve in favour of the National Trot at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve. — NZ Harness News.