Bondi Lockdown has big USA targets in his sights

Star Australian Group one pacer Bondi Lockdown (Somebeachsomewhere) has landed in the United States, with some big harness racing targets on the radar.

The six-year-old entire touched down in the USA 10-days ago and is part of a team being sent to the Northern Hemisphere by New South Wales trainer Luke McCarthy.

“He’s gone over with one of Luke’s staff and we’ve got him paid up for the Breeders Crown series at the Meadowlands in October,” owner and former trainer Aaron Dunn said.

“Hopefully he will have time to acclimatize and find his feet before some of those bigger races,” he said.

The Breeders Crown is worth $US700,000 – just over one million dollars Australian.

Dunn won a suite of top races with Bondi Lockdown, who is just shy of $500,000AU in career earnings, including Group Ones the 3yo Caduceus Classic, 3yo Vicbred Final and the 4YO Bonanza.

Dunn put his star in the hands of the highly successful NSW Team McCarthy after Bondi Lockdown suffered a bleeding attack in the Smoken Up Sprint at Melton in October 2022.

Dunn said at the time it was better that the horse was in their hands to give him his best chance of success, in view of the risk that another bleeding attack would have him barred permanently from racing in Australia.

He has gone on to win four free for all class races at Menangle, including the Coronation Cup and the Group Two Australian Light Horse.

Bondi Lockdown has a career record of 50 starts for 17 wins and 14 placings.

“It’ll be exciting to see what he can do in America,” Dunn said.

“Obviously over there he can be treated on (anti-bleeding medication) Lasix, and they should be able to get the best out of him.  Hopefully he will go through and be successful enough there to then come back home and go to stud,” he said.

Dunn is enjoying some good times with his team with emerging youngsters in last start Geelong 2yo winner Forty Love (Downbytheseaside) and Dee Roe (Art Major), who won at Bendigo last week to earn himself a berth in the $150,000 3yo APG Gold Bullion at Melton on May 25.

But he said he was looking forward to the opportunities North America would provide for a rejuvenated Bondi Lockdown.

“If he makes a big one it would be good to get across and see him race over there, but I suppose it will depend on what I’ve got racing myself at the time.  I’ve got a bit going on!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink