Oscar Bonavena’s devastating win in Trotters Cup

Harness racing fans were treated to a dazzling performance by New Zealand’s premier trotter Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) when he demolished his rivals to take out the Group 1 $60,000 Blue Hills Rise Bruce Skeggs Memorial Cranbourne Trotters Cup last night.

Trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon had targeted last week’s Great Southern Star at Melton but when he finished sixth in the Final decided to stay for Cranbourne’s leading trotting classic and their judgement was spot on when the nine year old stallion prevailed.

From the second row, driver Anthony Butt dropped back to the rear of the field. With two laps left Chris Alford made a daring sprint with Aldebaran Zeus who went to the lead. Then Parisian Artiste and Harold Smith both started to make their runs.

Still Butt waited and then just before the bell he started to make his run. Oscar Bonavena then unleashed a devastating sprint and within the space of about 400 metres was able to take the lead and make clear space to his rivals. At the finish Oscar Bonavena was well in front and he easily accounted for Harold Smith and Ebonys Avenger.

"AND THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF A KNOCKOUT BLOW!"
Mark and Nathan Purdon's star Oscar Bonavena dazzles in the last lap and takes out the Group 1 Blue Hills Rise Cranbourne Trotters Cup in style for master reinsman Anthony Butt! pic.twitter.com/CZniTEZnBT

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) February 8, 2025

Butt was full of praise for Oscar Bonavena after the race.

“It wasn’t ideal early. I knew he was very fast. I didn’t want to go too early. Once you light him up he wants to keep running. So I had to time it right. He has unbelievable speed. He jogged it really. When I let him go I didn’t want to be too wide on that final bend.”

“He cleared them in a heartbeat. He’s right up with all the trotters I have seen. It was the first time that I have driven him. His record is outstanding. He’s one of the fastest trotters with that 200 to 300 metre sprint. I think he’ll go to Sydney for the mile event”.

The event in question will be the Hammerhead Mile at Menangle Park on 8 March where he would most likely go head to head with Australian speedster The Locomotive and this would be a mouth watering clash if these two were to meet over the short distance.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink