Nathan is optimistic the Ashburton racing team will have its share of success tomorrow and rates OSCAR BONAVENA with odds appeal at $3.60 as possibly the best value on the day Blair takes the drive for only the second time in the Oscar career -a 4th on the NZ Trotting Championship in 2023 the result-and he would doubtless like to add his name to the list of winning drivers behind such an outsanding trotter.
That list is a relatively brief one Mark, Natalie,Tim Williams and Olivia Thornley in that mix along with Matthew Williamson before a young Oscar joined All Stars. Robbie Close went close a couple of times when Oscar spent time at the beach with Reagan Todd.
The talk from the stable for some time now has been how well Oscar is ageing and while Ashburton is traditionally a leadup to races like the Dominion Handicap,Nathan is optimistic about the outcome.
“He’s fit and well which is the real battle with him as he gets older. He is trotting freely and that means he can use all his speed. Under free for all conditions which help I certainly rate him a win chance”
Bet n Win is a $1.55 fave from the ace and is clearly the one to beat with Muscle Mountain out of contention but Oscar’s odds seem appealing.
DEMON BLUE kicks off the day (12.53:$3.90) in the Sires Stakes heat where the Dunn entry Got the Chocolates is another odds-on shot from an ace gate.
“I am not saying he will beat Got the Chocolates but he just keeps stepping up this horse so I am going to be very interested to see how he goes.He has gone on from his last run and it was pretty good. ”
MOMENTS LIKE THIS (1:29 $17) and ARDEN’S MEMORY ($21) line up n the Nevele R heat and Nathan things there could be value lurking each way in the form of Moments Like This who showed a liking for Ashburton as a two year old.
“He last run doesn’t seem much but it was her first in a long time and she was smart at two. I am hoping Blair can put her in the race and give her her chance because I think she can be in the mix.I would favour her at this stage of their careers over Arden’s Memory”
MR KAPLAN (5:47:$8) will go well off a freshener but Nathan is willing to concede to the favourite Mantra Blue.
“I can’t see us beating Zach’s horse. Apart from the gate it is in peak form. Mr Kaplan’s work is good but set a task to win this week”
And so to the headline horse DON’T STOP DREAMING having what may be his last run before the $1m NZ Cup next month.
“He’s still in the right place and we are very happy with the way he is going. I think it comes down to the start versus Merlin. If we step in front of him we will be hard for him to beat. If he steps in front of us then we have the job to do.
There might be just that in it ”
Nathan will decide after Monday if Don’t Stop Dreaming might need another race befor the Cup.
“It comes down to if for some reason we don’t have a hard race or something goes wrong here really. All things being equal this will be his Cup leadup probably with a run in the Cup Trial.”
The shadow of Leap To Fame in particular lingers over the Flying Stakes following another outstanding win on Saturday night but the locals can only race what is in front of them and it should be a fascinating contest-one that has often been won by the subsequent winner of the Addington feature.
Cover Pic.Oscar Bonavena shows off his tremendous stride at Ashburton-where he hopes to return to the winning list tomorrow.