Mark Purdon has never been a man to make bold claims, so is a little reluctant to put a feeling he has into words.
That feeling is that his old favourite, Oscar Bonavena, might just be in for his best campaign yet.
“He is doing well up here.The training regime suits him and probably the weather but whatever it is he is thriving.I almost think at times he feels stronger than he was last time in . Time will show that but that is how well he seems to be going”
Mark is well aware that Oscar is now in his seventh season of racing, which with many modern trotting stars means his peak has been reached.But he has at least retained his form already this year including his last start second in the Rowe Cup to Just Believe-and more important he is injury free and happy about it. He is preparing to resume in the next couple of weeks headed back to the scene of last year’s triumph in the Dominion Handicap.
Oscar Bonavena is short of earlier stable trotting superstar I Can Doosit in terms of money won ($858,000 versus $1.4m) and in dominance of rivals (I Can Doosit won 18 in succession) but in some other ways he is one of the major triumphs of Mark’s training career.
From relatively early on in his career he had problems. His peaks came with bursts of unbeaten runs like seven in succession in 2019 (ended in a disastrous Dominion debut, hampered and broke ) and six in 2023. But there were droughts like from December 2021 until December 2022 when sidelined for a long time and trying to match Sundee’s Sun and Muscle Mountain at peak when he was battling,not posting a win in 12 months.
Mark has put first hand countless hours into rehabilitation and preparation of Oscar and the triumph is that the now 8 year old has raced every season since a two year old; put together 67 starts (26 wins) and he has been in the first four in 54 of them. That’s training skill.
Developed by Phil Williamson, Oscar Bonavena was purchased by Mark for father Roy (taking over his share on Roy’s passing) and Chris Ryder soon after Mark took notice of him running second to the stable’s boom juvenile Enhance Your Calm at Group level at Addington at his third start. He was not cheap but is more than $700,000 in the black so far -minus considerable expenses.
His speed was considered quite extraordinary and has remained so.Maybe earlier in his career his sheer acceleration did not help on the injury front even though kept to the straight track at Rolleston for fast work where many pacers were no match for him. He trotted 800m in 55.4 winning a Trotting Free for All and lethal sprints have been a hallmark of his career. His issues meant however he was never to fulfil an earlier aim to ultimately send him to Chris in America.
But there is evidence to back Mark’s hope there is still improvement there,especially in staying events.
His Rowe Cup placing in May behind a superstar produced the best 3200 time of his career as an eight year old (4.06.4) -a few clicks better than the 4.06.7 winning the Dominion last year which was his best time for the event until then.
He was introduced -a little reluctantly- to the swimming pool at Lincoln Farms on a 2019 northern campaign (Mark got wetter than he did initially) and that is a key component in his current programme.Alongside him on the pool journeys is Akuta though while recovering well he will be doing nothing more serious before the end of the year.
“Not sure about this boss” Oscar prepares for first swim back in 2019 .Mark was to be the first to take a dip tho.
Mark has just the two to concentrate on now with Millwood Nike’s retirement while a decision to send Don’t Stop Dreaming north was reviewed,given his progress and the racing opportunities in the south.
He is likely to have a public trial next week and be ready to race in the Canterbury Cup the following week Nathan reports.
Mark is planning to have Oscar on hand for the Ashburton meeting on Boxing Day and will remain in the south until after NZ Cup week.
Two of his three northern stars will be missing.And Mark, who regards Just Believe as a true champion, is not making any grand claims. But Oscar will be there out to prove he has lost none of his skills-and possibly improved some of them.