OSCAR BONAVENA has bounced out of his third NZ Trotting Free for All triumph in great order and will be out to repeat last year’s victory in the Green Mile at Methven next Sunday and if successful it will be another threepeat.
Oscar won the race in 2021 when owned by Roy Purdon with Chris Ryder and again last year when Mark had taken over the ownership share he had gifted to Roy at the outset when Oscar fetched a six figure sum as a two year old.
His blair Orange-orchestrated victory in the Free for All has brought him close to the million dollar club his earnings now at over $950,000.
While Blair was the mastermind behind the Free for All in spite of not having many prior drives behind the veteran a major factor was the decision of Mark to give up the drive.
A master horseman over many years-in many ways the most underrated driver of modern times- he was first to realise that lacking that constant practice that keeps our top drivers at the peak of their game as a result of his move north it was time to hand over the reins-something he is likely to consider permanently in the not too distant future.
“In the Dominion I just felt I took a wrong option initially and that was the basic cause of his (Oscar’s) not being closer” Mark said at the time. Still it is not easy to give up drives in top races when you have won so many of them and Mark’s professionalism paid off. The masterly decision for he,Nathan and Blair to renew their association earlier this year was more than justified when Blair was able to give Oscar what he loves best-a spring home from cover where few current trotters are his equal.
Oscar Bonavena-nearing $1m in earnings
Oscar will then head north for the trot features at the Auckland Cup carnival-though stable representation could be light this year. Among those missing will be DON’T STOP DREAMING (pic) who is having a stay at home Christmas this year after a mammoth effort in the NZ Cup.
“The Christian Cullen Classic ($200,000) on Derby night is his main immediate aim and if all goes well the Invercargill Cup could follow that. He won’t be going north” Nathan said.
“He has come out of the Cup very well.He was a bit tired the day after but quickly bounced back and considering the problems we have overcome with him he is holding his conditiion and form well.”
Chase a Dream is headed for the Derby and is pleasing his connections. Nathan admits management and lack of suitable races possibly cost him in the $500,000 slot race at Addington on Show Night.
“It’s been tricky. I am very conscious of how much he has had to do and still has to do with the Derby on the horizon and don’t want to overtax him. There wasn’t a suitable age group for him leading up to the Cup meeting which didn’t help.But he has done well since and I am happy with where he is at. There’s a lot on for the young horses now and I am conscious of how to place him around them”
That leaves a lighter team for Auckland of probably three horses which will include MR KAPLAN, headed for the Queen of Hearts on December 13 and looking another race in the meantime.
DEMON BLUE is headed for the Aces Night at Addington on Friday where TREACHEROUS BABY is set to continue her top form in the New Zealand Oaks,having pleased the stable since her emphatic Nevele R Final win.