Bondi to make Sydney splash in Chariots

Having his first look at Menangle in the sulky from a wide barrier won’t deter Aaron Dunn from driving race favorite Bondi Lockdown like he is the best horse in harness racing’s Group 1 Chariots Of Fire on Saturday.

Fortunately, in some gloom amid the potential doom, the barrier draw delivered Dunn his pre-race wish to be allocated a more favorable alley than fellow Victorian Rock N Roll Doo, who drew the only barrier outside Bondi Lockdown in 11.

“All I wanted to do was draw inside Rock N Roll Doo,” Dunn said.

Unbeaten during his career when leading, Bondi Lockdown will embark on a relentless search for his favorite role according to Dunn.

“I’d like to think the front is there,” he said.

Dunn said Bondi Lockdown tuned up for his Chariots Of Fire assault with an impressive trackwork session at Horsham last weekend.

“He had a galloping pacemaker and ran his last three quarters in 27, 27 and 26 and I was swinging on him,” he said.

Dunn isn’t overly concerned the son of Somebeachsomewhere can be inclined to slightly lose ground around the turns.

“He mucks around a bit getting around the turns, he gets it into his head and waits for them but I’ll make sure he keeps rolling around the bends,” he said.

Victoria has a strong hand in the Chariots Of Fire with six of the 10 runners.

In addition to Bondi Lockdown and Rock N Roll Doo, the Matt Craven-trained Bettor Call Me, who was runner up in the Hondo Grattan Stakes, is well placed to take up a forward position from a favorable front row draw.

And the Jess Tubbs prepared Better Eclipse, who flashed home to finish fourth in the Paleface Adios Stakes, could enjoy a cosy run from the pole and is capable of featuring prominently should he be afforded a clear passage in the home straight.

The Nathan Purdon-trained filly Amore Vita has been installed a $1.65 favorite to draw first blood for the Vics in her heat of the NSW Oaks.

The daughter of Art Major is shooting for her fifth consecutive win and her potential clash with NSW filly Madrid in next week’s Oaks final is eagerly anticipated.

To view the fields for Menangle on Saturday night click here.

By John Dunne for HRV