There aren’t many males who would concede that cutting back on your sex life can advance your lifestyle.
Even if they would agree being on show at the beach definitely could.
Champion trotter OSCAR BONAVENA doesn’t have a say in that but his “managers” -think both are the right recipe for his try to win a second Dominion Handicap and confirm his place among the superstars of the trotting firmanent.
Oscar had been in superb form earlier in the spring but just lately,especially at the tight Kaikoura track last Monday, he seems to have lost a little of his brilliance.
Mark and Nathan put that down to his part time job -having semen extracted for a flourishing stud career while maintaining a full training schedule.
“We thought that was what was having an effect so we have cut it back leading into Cup week” Nathan said recently.
So this week has been ‘freshen up’ for the resilient Oscar. Beach on Saturday, off the lead work Sunday, regaining his vigour through tender loving care.
Mark took him to the beach Saturday with Akuta and thought the results positive.
“He does love swimming though they weren’t doing anything serious. But he’s brighter this morning showing a bit of spark” Mark said on Sunday.
The original intention had been to retire Oscar to stud this spring after he served about 20 mares last year. But he came up so well those plans were put on hold.
“He would have had to get more mares than were likely to justify retiring him when he was still very competitive” Mark said.
“But here has been quite bit of interest in him lately.Its hard to gauge things these days because not many book in advance like they used to but he should end up with about 35 mares”
In the meantime he is shaping up to be bold again in the Dominion
“The way he looks to have has bounced back he will be competitive in a big field. He would probably need some luck and Jilliby Ballerini looks hard from the draw but I am confident of a top effort.”
And,hopefuly for him,soon back to his love life.
Among Mark’s outside drives are son Michael’s Mystic Max who is showing signs of coming back to his best after a good battling run at Kaikoura.He is at quite appealing odds even though off a handicap and might offer value
He also has an outside drive in Arafura the favourite for the Nevele R Final from the stable of former foreman and training partner Hayden Cullen.
“Just a little concern with the gate in that she could end up getting parked but she has shown enough to be hard to beat”
And then there is CHASE A DREAM at cramped odds in a Junior Free for All devoid of any real stars.
“On his work I think he is in the right place. He has always been hard to assess and lacks the racing of some in this class but this is his chance”
PIC: Oscar Bonavena.In the swim on the track-and off