It was a magnificent sight at Oscar Bonavena eclipsed his field with memorable ease at Motukarara on Sunday. But it was not the only rare sight on the day.
Mark the veteran of over 150 Group One winning drives took time to wave to a cheering crowd. Something not seen probably not more than half a dozen times in Mark Purdon’s history making career.
It was certainly the only one when his charge was carrying saddle cloth 20. That it was sparked by Oscar Bonavena only underlines what a remarkable horse this indomitable trotter has become in the great history of Purdon racing.
Ranging up from wide at the turn looking set a huge task to reach the line in front, the inimitable Oscar had it all covered well before then. Far enough for Mark to acknowledge the cheering fans who had waited all day and quick to recognise the very special performance that made it worthwhile.
The professional, methodical, limelight resistant Mark only rarely allows such emotion to show in a race. Auckland Reactor, Lazarus, I Can Doosit, Smolda, Il Vicolo the only ones easily recalled in 30 years. To Mark the race is not won until the post has been past.Celebrations are usually restrained. He is a horseman and the horse is the one who earns the acclaim.
But this was a special occasion calling for special reactions.
“They gave him a great reception. That was the best part really” Mark said later. “It was terrific for the horse”
“He’s been a wonderful horse and he lost the best part of 18 months at one stage to injury treatments so he has done a wonderful job. If he is not better than ever he is certainly as good as ever”
Days he’d rather forget. Oscar watching others at work during his injury spell as a five year old
You only have to look at him to see that. Mark and Nathan have him in simply wonderful order and he seems to be thriving on it.
“Quite a few spoke to me about how well he looked. It certainly helps.”
It was, as is so often the case with the understated Mark, a brilliant drive considering the huge field he had to get around. Oscar has been at his very best when he has the reserves for a closing sprint with which he devastates fields with pacer like speed.
“I didn’t want to make it too hard for him. It is a fine balance with a horse like him. So I was looking for cover as long as we could.When we came round I could see Johnny (Dunn) was getting tired (I Dream of Jeannie) but it was a surprise even to me how easily he did it from there.”
No, it wasn’t the best field Oscar has ever beaten. But you will be watching this one many times on replays because of the sheer brilliance and domination he showed.
“We will go to the Canterbury Park Cup next (October 17) and probably Ashburton (10 days later) after that” said Mark on the road to the Cup meeting and a second Dominion Handicap.
It followed a Group 1 win for Shezsofast in the Caduceus Classic on Friday, a mixed result for Mark as his drive Alecto did not get the rub of the green from a bad gate. “I made a move because I didn’t think ones in front of me were going to carry us right and it didn’t work out on the night”
Akuta, who had a hitout on the grass yesterday is headed for the Methven Cup on Sunday week.
Rubira, Treacherous Baby and Midnight Miki will run at Addington on Friday night.
But this week will be all about Oscar Bonavena. The star whose brilliance seems to just keep on giving-and giving