DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS SCORES MEADOWLANDS WIN
Former 10-time leading NZ driver Dexter Dunn racked up his 61st USA win since late August when guiding Delightfulmemphisn to win at the Meadowlands on November 9.
This was the first USA win for the former Overport Lodge mare, who raced in Australasia as Delightful Memphis.
Delightfulmemphisn was recording her second win in 10 US starts after having her preparation interrupted by a bout of sickness for the Richard “Nifty” Norman stable.
Dexter Dunn overcame the eight gate with her in a $11,500 fillies and mares pace, working to the front at the half, easing to trail, then having the last say.
Delightfulmemphisn outfinished another NZ-bred mare Followthewind (Mister Big-Whenua, by Mach Three-Whanau, by Sands A Flyin-Lento), by a head, in 1:52.4 (10ths).
Memphis Tennessee, a younger brother to Delightful Memphis, winning at Invercargill on October 6 for co-trainer Terry Chmiel. (Photo: Wild Range Photography).
The Bettor’s Delight-Memphis Melody mare had earlier won in a career best 1:51.4 in North America.
Dexter drives her again this Saturday (NZ time) in a $14,500 fillies and mares pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
She has drawn the three gate in a field that includes former big-winning Australian mare Nike Franco (McArdle-Nearea Franco), a former 1:48 miler, who has won two of 19 starts this term and paced 1:51.
Memphis Tennessee, a three-year-old brother to Delightful Memphis, sold out of the Mark Jones stable to race for clients of the Terry and Glenys Chmiel barn, was a luckless eighth in Tuesday’s $166,000 McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Sires Stakes 3YO Final.
He’s quickly made his mark this term, winning three of eight starts and is the sixth individual winner for his dam Memphis Melody (Badlands Hanover-OK Deb), who earlier left notable first foal winner Harley Earl (1:55.3, 10 wins from 31 starts).
Memphis Melody, who won once from seven starts over a mile in 2:00.1, is from the same maternal family as champion six-time Derby winner and later sire, Courage Under Fire.