Past Southern Country Cups Winner – Bondy

Bondy, (Live Or Die) trained by David and Catherine Butt won the 2007 edition of the Southern Country Cup in the hands of David’s father Robin.

Owned by the late Peter Cates and members of his family the harness racing five year old started favourite, running off the ten metre mark.

Butt senior took the gelding straight to the front and held on to beat Sand Express which enjoyed the trail by one and three quarter lengths.

This was one of twenty three wins Bondy achieved over his career and he banked $828,980.

Bondy started three time at Ascot Park winning the Southern Country Cups Final, the 2009 Northern Southland Cup and finished second to B Grudge in the 2008 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup.

This year’s edition of the Regent Car Court Southern Country Cups Final will be the twenty third.

The race’s most successful reinsman has been Brent Barclay who’s driven three winners; Bonnie Lass (2001), Whanau (2003) and The Jaccka (2005).

Trainers Kirk Larsen, Hamish Hunter and John Hay are the race’s most successful with two wins apiece.

Last years winner was Wheels Of Fortune trained by Hay.

This Sunday the Invercargill HRC host Diamonds Day at Ascot with a host of feature race including the $110,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic, the $60,000 Group Two Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southern Oaks, the $60,000 Group Two Alabar Supremacy Stakes and the $40,000 the Regent Car Court Southern Country Cups Final.

A truly spectacular day of racing which gets underway at 12 noon.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink