Oscar delivers knockout punch

Named after the famous Argentinian boxer, Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) delivered a harness racing knockout in today’s Green Mile for trotters at Methven.

Co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon took him straight to the lead. He relished being the pacemaker and was travelling kindly a long way from home. Once in the straight he trotted down to the line to beat a couple of outsiders in Maui and Aveross Majesty who deadheated for second.

“He loves the grass and feels so good on it. And it probably helps with his soundness issues,” Purdon said.

The winning margin was ten lengths, the biggest in the thirteen year history of the race, with the mile cut out in 2-01.0.

Owned by Purdon and Chris Ryder this was the seven year old stallion’s twenty first win and his fifth this season. He’s the leading stake earning trotter this year, just ahead of Muscle Mountain. The win was his second in this race, having won the 2021 edition.

“He’s been in great form (recently) but has been a bit patchy throughout his career. This time round he seems to be sounder than he’s ever been and consequently he’s racing a lot better. I don’t know why he’s sounder because it’s usually the other way round when you’re older.”

Purdon says because the entire is free of injury he and training partner son Nathan are able to get more work into the horse.

“In the old days if you gave him a good hit out you’d have to go quietly for a few days but now she seems to be able to take the work and press on with him.”

OSCAR BONAVENA REPLAY

Grand Prix day along with the G1 $110,000 Livamol New Zealand Trotting FFA over the sprint trip of 1980 metres, beckons. This will be Oscar Bonavena’s third start in the FFA. He won the trotting feature in 2021 and finished fourth behind Muscle Mountain last year.

Purdon confirmed Oscar Bonavena is pencilled in to run on Invercargill Cup Day December 22^nd in the Group Three David Moss Stakes, while Self Assured and Akuta will head south for the G1 $110,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink