The Dominion defender and the new boy

Whilst Just Believe (Orlando Vici) may have received a lot of attention, defending Dominion Handicap champion Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) and rising trotting star Bet N Win (What The Hill) have been quietly preparing for tomorrows $400,000 Group One Renwick Farms Dominion Handicap at Addington and their harness racing trainers say they’re both ready.

“He’s at least as good as he was this time last year,” said Nathan Purdon who co-trains defending champion and seventy start Oscar Bonavena with his father Mark.

Prior to his last start the entire was pre-race warmed and the same process will be followed tomorrow.

“He’s an old horse and feels his joints. He seems to be better when he gets out there and has a pre-race warm.”

Purdon thinks hot favourite Just Believe will likely find the front early.

“He’s drawn two and has impeccable manners. I think Just Believe is head and shoulders above the rest at the moment. Bet N Win is a smart up and comer, but he hasn’t had the rough and tumble that Just Believe has had.”

The new kid on the block Bet N Win has had just sixteen starts, winning his last seven to graduate into this class.

Trained by David and Stacey White, the four year old gets a second row draw.

“Initially we were disappointed with the draw. With the way he’s stepped in some of the lead up races we thought he would have settled quite handy from a front row draw. The more we’ve looked at it we think it might work out okay for us. We’re following out a couple of reasonable beginners and there’s a little bit of room on the outside with the other two horses being unruly. Bob (driver Bob Butt) won’t be flustered too early and hopefully he can put him into a good spot,” David said.

Bet N Win last raced at Ashburton two weeks ago, winning the Group Three Ashburton Trotters Sprint.

“We’re really happy with him since Ashburton. He came through the run good. We gave him a pretty good hit out early last week and that brought him on to right where we wanted him. He’s just ticked over since and seems in a good spot.”

He says if Bet N Win does get back, he’ll move forward at some point.

“For sure. You can’t afford to be giving horses like Just Believe and Arcee Phoenix a head start, so he’ll have to be put into it at some stage whether that’s early or late. We’ll leave that up to Bob.”

White says the 3200 metres shouldn’t worry his four year old.

“I expect it to be more in his favour than a hindrance.”

With a career short training, this race is a big one for the Whites.

“The excitement levels are fairly high and we’re really looking forward to it. Having the race on Cup day is a great move by the Club and it adds a little bit more to the excitement.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink