Dunn hoping for a Flemington case of Divine inspiration

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Matthew Dunn is unsure what the longer-term future holds for the well-travelled Divine Unicorn (GB) (Lope De Vega {IRE}), but a more immediate approach will become clearer after the weekend.

The Murwillumbah horseman has his feet firmly on the ground as he prepares the lightly-tried 5-year-old for the toughest test of his career in Saturday’s G1 TAB Turnbull S.

“He gets to take on Winx and if he can run in the top five I would be very happy,” Dunn said. “He’s had no luck at all in his first two runs in Melbourne.”

“He gets to take on Winx and if he can run in the top five I would be very happy.” - Matthew Dunn.

Divine Unicorn is by Ballylinch stallion, Lope De Vega

Divine Unicorn was held up in the running when fourth in an open mile at Moonee Valley and was then in an unfamiliar role when he set a hot pace and faded to be unplaced in the G3 Foundation Cup.

“I was disappointed by what happened at Caulfield and in hindsight I perhaps shouldn’t have run him and gone to another race, but we wanted to stick to a programme,” Dunn said.

”It might be pie in the sky, but if he could run second to Winx, he might possibly get in. I’m sure the winner of the Caulfield Cup will come out of this race, they’re the best around.”

Bought in England

Divine Unicorn was a 110,000 guineas purchase at the Tatts October Yearling Sale by Willie Yeung’s Magus Equine on behalf of Hong Kong interests.

He is a son of Inchberry (GB) (Barathea {IRE}), who failed to win but showed quality with a black type placing and she ran fourth in the G1 English Oaks. She has produced four winners, including the dual Group 3 placegetter Measuring Time (GB) (Dubai Destination {USA}).

Inchberry is a half-sister to the G3 Irish St Leger Trial winner Ursa Major (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) and the family of the dual Group 1 winner Poet’s Word (IRE) (Poet’s Voice {GB}).

Divine Unicorn gained an early education in England before he landed in Australia and has fashioned a tidy record by winning five of his 11 starts.

“He was broken in and pre-trained and came here to acclimatise before trying to qualify for Hong Kong.”- Matthew Dunn.

“He was broken in and pre-trained and came here to acclimatise before trying to qualify for Hong Kong,” Dunn said. “He stuck around and he’ll probably go next year when he hopefully gets an invitation for the International Day.

“He’s surpassed expectations here and I jumped him from 1600 metres to 2200 metres when he won the G3 Tatts Cup.

“He’s really untapped. He can sprint well early in his preparation and he’s a promising stayer, he’s got a bright future.

“Willie manages him and they’ve always got between six and 10 with me. A few race and stay and some qualify for Hong Kong. It’s not all one way traffic and a bit of a mixed bag really, it works really well for us.”