Vic trainer chasing Derby dream with Pastor son
Date: 4 May 2026
From HarnessLink (Terry Gange, 1 May 2026)
Victorian three-year-old trotter Pastor Dunbar (Pastor Stephen) is quietly building a harness racing resume that could be difficult for NSW Derby selectors to overlook next week.
The progressive youngster made it three wins from just four starts
with an effortless victory at Bendigo on Wednesday night (April 29),
further strengthening his case for inclusion in the Success Stud NSW
Derby on May 9.
With the Derby field now determined by discretionary selection rather
than heats, Pastor Dunbar’s performances will put him firmly in the
conversation – despite flying somewhat under the radar to this point.
Damian and Laura Wilson with their rising star trotter Pastor Dunbar
Trained and driven by Damian Wilson, near Shepparton, the gelding
stamped his authority on a handy field of three-year-old trotters at
Bendigo, strolling to the front before scoring by seven metres,
hard-held and with plenty in reserve.
“I’d love to think he was a derby prospect – he’s
done pretty much all I could ask of him at this stage, and he has done
it easily,” Wilson said.
“His win this week was really pleasing and he honestly wasn’t even out of second gear -he had plenty in reserve.
“He’s got the speed. A fortnight ago we gave him a good
hitout and he got home in 28.7 which is very handy for a three-year-old,
and he’s strong doing it.
“The pleasing thing is that he’s as tough as he is fast. He’s
just a lovely horse to have. He’s a clean trotter and once he’s
trotting he’s pretty faultless.”
Pastor Dunbar has been patiently developed by Wilson and his partner
Laura after being sent to the stable by breeder-owner Kevin McCluskey,
himself a former trainer-driver.
“I drove him a few times in the trials before he came here, and he
was good to drive. He did a few little things wrong, but we’ve ironed
those out, taken most of his gear off him really. He races without a
headcheck now,” Wilson said.
He said even at this early stage the gelding was clearly the best trotter the couple had trained.
“I can’t say he’s our best horse because we’ve got Calexico (winner
of 10 races) but I really like him – I’d love the chance to see how good
he is against his own age at this stage.”
Pastor Dunbar’s rise has been swift.
He debuted late as a two-year-old in December,
scoring an impressive 10-metre win against older horses, before
producing arguably his most eye-catching performance at Bendigo earlier
this month.
Drawn wide in barrier seven, he unleashed a powerful
three-wide last-lap surge to score in a slick 1:58.7, underlining both
his speed and versatility.
His only defeat came at Maryborough when sent out a $1.07
favourite, but after striking trouble in a torrid affair and losing in
excess of 50 metres, he rattled home to finish within two metres of the
winner.
While much of the Wilson stable’s success has come with pacers, they
have enjoyed their share of success with trotters, including
Hadtobeharry, Settle The Bill and Skye Lindy.
Wilson himself brings a wealth of big-race experience to the table,
boasting multiple Group 1 victories in the sulky with horses such as
Major Moth, Lively Moth and Living On Fire.
With a record that includes seven Group 1 wins as a driver, Wilson
knows what it takes to compete at the elite level – and believes Pastor
Dunbar deserves the opportunity.
