Shuns Bro Tops the Class in Claiming Final

16 February 2012

By Damian Courtney

A tactical front-running drive by Mark Dux paved the way for 9-Y-O Shuns Bro’s dashing victory in the $16,000 Claiming Challenge Final at Albion Park last Saturday night.

The form from the previous week was franked when the two heat winners, Shuns Bro and Good Boys quinelled the final with race favourite, Motu Fella, in third place.

While form analysts expected the Perfect Art gelding to lead, most were surprised by the 11.5 metre winning margin and the ease of his victory on the line.

"I thought there may have been a little more pressure earlier in the race so after being left alone I decided to make them chase me from the 1200m," said trainer/driver Dux post-race.

"Good Boys was the main danger and after he drew the second line I gave this horse a strong chance. The barrier draw really helped."

Dux rated Shuns Bro brilliantly running the final three quarters in 29.9, 28.3 and 29.6. His rivals were off the bit and chasing a long way from home.

Shuns Bro was claimed by the Dux family and long-time stable client Greg Flower about six months ago for $5,000 and he has now earned almost four times that amount in prize money.

"While he has raced consistently for us he just couldn't win a race until three weeks ago and now he has put together a hat trick. I haven't changed anything but he is now fit and racing confidently."

"I have been a great supporter of claiming races for a long time. These types of races give horses that have reached their mark an opportunity to still earn prize money and owners the chance to still enjoy racing their horses."

The Albion Park Harness Racing Club will conduct another claiming series in late April with the $16,000 "King of the Claimers” final on Saturday 5 May.

Lightly raced 5-Y-O, Maywyn Tonz, provided the other highlight of the night when he stopped the clock at 1.53.9 in his return to racing.

In a wonderful training effort by Shane Sanderson, Maywyn Tonz sat behind the blistering pace set by Well Caught Marsh and Lebron before sprint-laning to victory in the straight.

The son of Blissfull Hall has only had 12 career starts but has won 9. Both front runner Well Caught Marsh and Lebron, which faced the breeze fought on strongly to fill the minor placings. All three horses are worth following in the upcoming weeks.