Second Banks Peninsula Cup for Oscar Bonavena

By Mike Love 

Millionaire trotter Oscar Bonavena has firmed in favouritism for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot following his jaw-dropping win at Motukarara yesterday.

After starting off the back mark of 30 metres, driver and co-trainer Mark Purdon had no option but to bide his time in the Group 3 Elite Stride DG Jones Memorial Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup.

It wasn't until the 450-metre mark that Purdon angled the Majestic Son eight-year-old to the very outside. He then produced a devastating turn of foot to  move his opposition down, winning by an ever increasing eight and a half lengths from Paris Prince and Cody Banner.

"He felt enormous," said driver Mark Purdon in a post-race interview on Trackside.

The win was Oscar Bonavena's second in the race, having won it in 2023 with Olivia Thornley in the bike. It was his 36th career victory, bringing his earnings up to $1.3 million. It was Purdon's third training success in the race, with I Can Doosit winning in 2012.

"I was hoping we were going to get more of a drag into the race before having to make a move. I could see Johnny (Dunn) doing his best to skip away at the right time."

Dunn had set the tempo for most of the race with I Dream Of Jeannie and skipped away about the 400m mark, putting a decent six or seven-length gap on them.

"When I asked him to run, he just felt terrific," says Purdon.

"He's in great order and really loving the racing. He's really in the zone, and it'd take a good horse to beat him on his merits."

It was Oscar's second win in a row following his Ordeal Cup win at Addington earlier in the month which secured his place in the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day on Tuesday, November 11.

At the time he was installed a $4 favourite to win his second Dominion (the first being in 2023). After yesterday's extraordinary performance his odds have now shortened to $2.80.

Australian visitor Arcee Phoenix is next at $4.50, just ahead of Bet N Win ($4.60).