Oscar back to old self ahead of ANZAC Cup

By Michael Guerin

Champion trainer Mark Purdon is turning the page on Oscar Bonavena making a fool of himself in the richest race of his life last start.

But he says a better beginning under a very different format will be crucial in the $100,000 Fisken And Sons Anzac Cup at Alexandra Park’s biggest meeting of the season on Friday night.

The meeting hosts five Group 1 races, with hotshot three-year-olds Marketplace (barrier 1) and Beside Me (4) set to start long odds-on in the Woodlands Northern Derby and Pascoes Oaks respectively.

Meant To Be will also be a hot favourite even starting on the unruly in the Northern Trotting Derby but the two open class Group 1s will provide punters with more complicated puzzles, especially the Anzac Cup.

It is a rare 2200m Group 1 handicap and while the best trotters only face 10m handicaps in a big field how they step could decide the winner.

Oscar Bonavena finds himself in the unusual position of blowing the start from behind a mobile plenty of times in the last year but actually being better behaved from a standing start.

His biggest gaffe came in the $600,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge last start when he exploded into a full gallop at the start, extinguishing his own chances and he was lucky not to take out eventual winner Arcee Phoenix.

Purdon says the veteran trotter has been on his best behaviour in his work since and Purdon’s only option is to turn the page.

“He has been really good in his work and we all know he has been a bit funny in mobile races but I don’t think he will have any issues from a stand,” says Purdon.

“I’d love to see him step well because the horse on the front line will run along with it being only 2200m and for the horses on the handicaps the closer they can settle the better.
 “So it could be a race where the one of the big names that can step best might end up the best winning chance.”

With Bet N Win, Muscle Mountain, Not As Promised and Queen Elida also back on that 10m mark Oscar Bonavena will have plenty of high class rivals in the same boat as him. 

Blair Orange will partner Oscar Bonavena as Purdon is suspended and he also drives Chase A Dream in the $100,000 Dawson Harford Messenger for the elite pacers.

Chase A Dream’s season and maybe career looked to be in the balance after a couple of dreadful runs to start this season but he bounced back with a huge win in the Flying Mile at Cambridge and a brave second to Leap To Fame in the $1m Race by btcha.

With no Merlin in Friday’s 2700m mobile Chase A Dream is the $2.60 favourite after drawing barrier 6, with Auckland Cup winner Republican Party the big winner in the draw securing the ace.

“I am rapt with how he is working and I am really glad I let him miss the Taylor Mile [two weeks ago],” says Purdon.

“I think he will be hard to eat and I wouldn’t be scared to see Blair use him off the gate as he will be good in front.”

To see the Auckland fields click here 

Ripples set for NZ debut this Friday 

By Adam Hamilton 

Successful Aussie owner Mick Harvey feels like he’s had a win even before his exciting filly Ripples steps out at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Harvey, best known for part-owning superstars like King Of Swing and Hectorjayjay, is thrilled he convinced champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin to have their first Kiwi runner.

“It’s amazing to think they haven’t had one yet, but I understand why with the huge team they have,” he said.

“I’m thrilled this is happening and, to be honest, Emma and Clayton have been great about it.

“They had lots of questions and with the huge help of Mark Jones and Brooke Wilkins, once the filly gets there, it’s been seamless so far.”

Ripples, who created a huge impression winning her heat and final of the Bathurst Gold Tiara series last month, is booked a flight to Auckland today (Wednesday).

“It’s all coming together and now she’s drawn well, too. Gate three is ideal for her,” Harvey said.

“Mark (Jones) tells me we’ve got the best in Blair Orange to drive her, so it’s all go.”

Harvey isn’t fazed by racing right-handed with Ripples.

“No, Clayton took her to Pat Driscoll’s track where you can go the other way and said she felt even better that direction,” he said.

“It’s never easy taking on the Kiwis, but we think this is the right filly to do it.

“I have to thank Mark Jones, who has been an enormous help on so many levels. And Brooke (Wilkins) used to work for me and she has kindly said she’ll look after the filly while she’s over there.”

Harvey hopes this will be a forerunner to more trips to NZ for Ripples and other Stewart/Tonkin horses.

“In Ripples’ case, there’s three for four other big races for her later in the year I’d love her to return for,” he said.

“And Emma and Clayton are the best juvenile trainers in the southern hemisphere. I really hope this trip paves the way for them to broaden their horizons, see how easy it is, and take more horses over.

“Things are buzzing in NZ, the prize money is up and you’ve got to be part of it.

“Look how many Aussies have been going over and winning big races in the past couple of years.

“It’s about time, after the Kiwis have been winning our (Australia’s) biggest races for decades.”