Bondi Lockdown back on track

Brilliant pacer Bondi Lockdown (Somebeachsomewhere) gave every impression he’s back in contention for another tilt at the Miracle Mile with an impressive win at the Menangle harness racing trials this morning (Jan 18).

The hitout for the multiple group 1 winner was the first major step to reigniting his career and delighted reinsman Luke McCarthy said all roads now appeared to lead to the Miracle Mile on March 4.

View the full trial results, click here.

In an interview with Club Menangle after the race, McCarthy said the bay horse appeared comfortable in stopping the clock in 1.52-5 for the 1609 metre trial.

“I just got the sit, slotted him in behind the leader but I was mostly pleased with the way he worked up the straight – he hit the line super and after the line when Wolf Stride came off his back, he wanted to go another lap,” McCarthy said.

The superstar five-year-old, who suffered a bleeding attack in October last year, was transferred to the care of Belinda McCarthy, in what owner and former trainer-driver Aaron Dunn admits was a “bloody hard decision”.

Dunn, based at Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera, said he’d watched the trial replay a few times and was excited about the road ahead.

“Luke texted me straight after and was very happy with the way Carl (stablename for Bondi Lockdown) had performed.  It was a relief that nothing went wrong,” Dunn said.

Bondi Lockdown, a winner of 13 of his 32 lifetime starts, was stood down when unplaced at Melton on October 1 of last year. The pacer was found to have bled and was banned from racing for three months.

Dunn said when the opportunity come for the horse to be trained at the McCarthys’ Cobbitty Equine Farm, he knew it would be for the better.

“I’ll be honest and admit I had mixed feelings. Even now it feels funny when I look out the door and don’t see him. They do become your best friends cos you’re with them every day,” he said.

“But one thing I’m pretty sure about is that Belinda and Luke will make him into a racehorse. And it will be a longevity thing.

“The horse looked relaxed in the trial which was pleasing. Their routine involves a lot of swimming and in the water walker—and Carl would be just loving that.”

Dunn, who paid $20,000 for the horse at the yearling sales, said he’d always shown high speed, right from his jogging days as a yearling.

“I ended up going a bit higher than what I’d intended to spend, but I just liked the look of him—I’m glad I did because he’s taken me on a huge ride and now hopefully there’s more to come,” he said.

“We had a very nice horse years ago in Dee Dees Dream (Camtastic), who won 38 races and over $425,000 in stakes. He was named after his owner Darryl Dunn, who was a cousin of my dad Barry, and it was his first horse.

“Dad trained him, and I drove it most of the time. Some of the wins were three City of Launceston Cups and a 2yo VicBred feature.

“I would probably have to say that Bondi Lockdown is a tougher, better horse. Dee Dees Dream was on the second tier but did finish third in an Inter heat on one occasion.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink