Rising star to bypass Queensland riches

CONNECTIONS of exciting youngster Pastor Dunbar have elected to bypass Queensland’s riches during the upcoming Constellations Carnival.

Sunshine State options for Pastor Dunbar included the $150,000 The Great Square, however, trainer Damian Wilson confirmed the three-year-old has been sent for a spell following his victory in Melton last night.

Preferring to focus on local features later in the season, Wilson stated Pastor Dunbar will benefit more from a break as opposed to a long interstate campaign.

Pastor Dunbar is already a Group One winner, having captured the New South Wales Trotters’ Derby at Club Menangle a fortnight ago.

“He’s already in the paddock,” Wilson said. “We gave Queensland a thought and feel he’s not quite ready to take on the top echelon of four-year-olds yet as not mature enough.

“He has only had six starts and is still learning to race, so it’s just too soon…there’s always next year for Queensland.

“Plus it’s a big ask to go through the whole season without much of a spell given he has the Vicbred and Derby here still to come.

“Taking all that into consideration, he will have at least three weeks off and I’ll look to have him racing again in mid August.”

Driven by Wilson during his latest outing, Pastor Dunbar was caught wide from barrier six before working forward to find the front as early leader, Just As I Am, was eased to take a trail.

Proving too slicking along the home straight, the son of Pastor Stephen scored by a metre-and-a-half from Just As I Am, with Sam Nien a head away third.

Rating 1:57.7 over 1720 metres, Pastor Dunbar took his record to five wins and a second from six starts for owner-breeder Kevin McCluskey.

“It was a step up last night and he did well,” Wilson said. “I felt he got out of the gate close enough to them, it wasn’t perfect, but he will get better with more experience.

“Beginning better is the one thing I want to see more from him.”