The eye sees Grand Circuit credentials in Bondi

What are the integral ingredients which comprise a Grand Circuit pacer?

In no particular order, any horse hoping to compete at the highest level must possess strength, speed, depth, professionalism and an almost ethereal will to win.

Bondi Lockdown, the prophetically named colt from Victoria’s Wimmera region, has these attributes in spades.

On Saturday night, Aaron Dunn’s stable star claimed the Group 3 Victoria Sires Classic in wonderfully dramatic fashion.

Those questioning his elite level credentials have some ammunition at their disposal.

From his six black-type assignments, Bondi Lockdown has succeeded on just two occasions and he failed to strike a blow during the recently-staged Queensland Winter Carnival.

He has won far fewer than half his 19 starts, he suffers from some tractability issues, and he only won Saturday night’s contest by a head over a $52 chance in Better Eclipse.

They are the drawbacks; here are the positives.

On Saturday night, in one fell swoop, Bondi Lockdown ticked many of the boxes outlined above.

His strength was stunning.

Having raced three wide to the breeze from a wide second line draw in an incredibly fast lead time, Bondi Lockdown was left the most vulnerable runner in transit, yet still prevailed.

His professionalism was better than ever. Rather than over-racing after doing all that early labour, Bondi Lockdown dropped the bit and happily accepted cover when One Two Many raced up on his outside.

And his will to win was other-worldly.

Despite each and every one of his quality rivals receiving softer runs, Aaron Dunn’s budding hero still humbled them, even after a chequered journey up the Lord’s Raceway lane.

The only necessary characteristic of a Grand Circuit pacer not on display last weekend was speed, but we know Bondi Lockdown also has that.

After all, this is the horse that chased down a future Derby winner through a final split of 26.4 seconds at Group 1 level in the VHRC Caduceus Classic earlier this year.

Everyone is their entitled to their opinion, particularly when it comes to racing animals.

But the eye rarely lies, and the eye suggests Bondi Lockdown is the real deal.

The sleeping giant of Australasian racing, Emma Stewart, will awaken at the Ballarat trials today.

And when we say awaken, we really mean explode.

The list of names representing Stewart at her home track preliminaries is truly mind boggling.

First, there are the juveniles.

Lightning Dan, Khafaji, Irish Black Label, Petillante and Beach Villa.

Then the three-year-olds.

Act Now, Beach Music, Joanna and Tough Tilly.

Then there’s the older brigade.

Amelia Rose, Techys Angel, Maajida and Fourbigmen.

God help their rivals as these, and other Stewart-trained stars return to the races.

Particularly in those with age-restricted conditions.