KEY POINTS:
The man behind Dexter Dunn says the harness racing driving sensation is no "show pony".
So much so it was not that long ago boss Cran Dalgety had to convince Dunn he had what it takes to be a successful driver.
Dalgety made that shock admission to the
Herald as Dunn gets set to further extend his lead in the national premiership at Addington tonight.
After the most unbelievable season by a young horseman in New Zealand racing history, Dunn has emerged from obscurity to drive 135 winners, putting him four clear of Peter Ferguson.
This from a kid who last season drove four winners in a half season after returning from Australia, an improvement curve so steep if Dunn was a horse he would be drug tested. Every day.
His emergence from unknown to golden boy in less than a year has shocked everybody in harness racing, none more so than Dunn.
"When he started here last year we had a few tough months when he really wasn't driving that well," said Dalgety, who lured Dunn back from Australia to be his stable driver.
"He was too aggressive, driving like they do on the small Australian tracks.
"He knew he was getting horses beaten and he withdrew into himself and started to doubt his ability.
"There were times I had to plead with owners to let him back on a horse but the change around has all been due to his own hard work.
"He has analysed, paid attention, changed his style and worked hard and now you are seeing what a talent he is."
Having driven in over 800 races this season, Dunn has spent hundreds of hours travelling but Dalgety says he has not shirked his duties at home.
"He has a tremendous work ethic and has exactly the same attitude to the jobs around the stable now as he did when nobody knew who he was.
"The only thing that has changed is his confidence level. After months of me asking him to give me his opinion, sometimes now he does."
Dalgety admits he has worries about what Dunn is giving up to be the hottest 18-year-old in world harness racing.
"He doesn't socialise as much as he would like to, or even maybe should, because he is so dedicated and loves driving.
"But the results are coming and we are all very proud of him."
Dunn should win at least one race at Addington tonight on the Dalgety-trained London Legend, who will be a hot favourite in the night's feature.
"He beat most of these off a 30m handicap last start so he should be able to overcome the outside gate and beat them," said Dalgety.
He also believes Jack Jack Attack and Wild Storm will go close for himself and Dunn in other races tonight.
"Jack Jack Attack shouldn't be a maiden, while Wild Storm is better than he has been showing and we found a little problem with him that we have fixed."
Dunn has other winning chances tonight as well as at Rangiora on Sunday but Ferguson will have dual northern meetings in the next two weeks.
But if the TAB were setting a book on the premiership - and why aren't they? - Dunn, who would have started the season at 500-1 would now be the hot favourite.
DUNN DEAL
* Dexter Dunn has emerged from obscurity to lead the national driving premiership.
* He should extend that further at Addington tonight.
* But boss Cran Dalgety says success has hardly changed the 18-year-old.
