Oscar Bonavena can “definitely win” – Mark Purdon

At least Mark Purdon knows it can be done.

The genius trainer of New Zealand harness racing proves just how bad he is as being semi-retired by having runners in both slot races at Cambridge tonight: Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) in the $600,000 TAB Trot and Chase A Dream in the $1million Race by Betcha.

He co-trains both with son Nathan and the two horses, are different ends of their careers, face a similar challenge tonight, both expected to have to come from off the speed to run past the all-conquering Australians.

Oscar Bonavena looks likely to be midfield at best in the TAB Trot with Purdon loathe to rush him off the gate from barrier three because of his hit-and-miss mobile manners.

Chase A Dream has drawn one on the second line with the best Purdon can hope for in the pace being three deep on the markers with Don Hugo being attacked to create late gaps.

Both horses swooped to win their warm up Flying Miles last Friday and in the brief history of the big-money slot races at Cambridge, Purdon is the only driver to come from back in the field at the bell to win one.

He came from last to win the first running of the Pace with Self Assured, the subsequent two editions being won by the leader Copy That and Merlin coming out of the one-one last year.

The only running of the TAB Trot saw Just Believe sit parked last year to beat the leader, with the elite horses usually making Cambridge feel smaller than most 1000m tracks.

“I’d love to be able to use Oscar early from barrier three but I really don’t think it is the best thing to do with some of the issues he has had early in some mobile races this season,” admits Purdon.

“He is at his most potent when driven for speed so I hope they go hard early and we get a sit handy to them.

“He can definitely win because he is really well.”

Chase A Dream benefitted from a tougher training regime last week to improve dramatically but his task, and that of all the horses who get back in the Race by Betcha, is a daunting one.

Not only do they have to hope for a brutal pace to soften the leaders up but gaps on a track that rarely sees the best fields break up over 2200m and a home straight that will disappear below their hooves very quickly.

If Purdon is going to become the first driver to win two Cambridge slot races, Oscar Bonavena is by far his best chance of pulling it off.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand