His last win might have been in a picnic event but Garry Lunn couldn't believe Dusktilldawn wasn't among the favourites at Wellington Race Club on Monday.
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Lunn's feelings were justified after the Dubbo-trained gelding, ridden by Ronald Simpson, scored a strong win in the Keirles Pharmacy Wellington Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1700m) on a short back-up.
Dusktilldawn jumped a $6.50 hope and was on the fourth line of betting behind Luke Hilton's $2.80 favourite Flying Pretty and the Kody Nestor pair of Wilburglen ($3.50) and Nevade Sunrise ($5).
Monday's victory made it two wins in three starts for Lunn's four-year-old after his Nyngan picnic victory was followed by a sixth-placed finish on Friday at Dubbo.
"He won well at the picnics and he didn't beat much there but he beat that horse of Kody's [Wilburglen] there hands down and then he comes here and was $8 or $9 and Kody's was second favourite," Lunn told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the win.
"I couldn't believe it but his run at Dubbo was good ... I backed him up and I said to Ronald he only has to run up to that run and he'll beat these horses because it was a very weak race, I thought."
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Simpson settled midfield with Dusktilldawn after Mr Perfection ($31) and Cat Walk Queen ($19) had shot forward from the wide gates to take control early.
Mr Perfection led by close to three lengths at one point midway through the trip but Simpson was happy to sit along the rails and it all panned out perfectly for he and Lunn's charge.
While others jostled for position as they entered the straight Simpson was able to catch them napping and shot clear with Dusktilldawn.
He went on to win by just over three lengths while Pepita ($21) ran home well for second and Argyllscoot ($31) was third.
Dusktilldawn only has the three wins from 30 career starts but each of those victories have come in the past seven starts.