Oscar heads south

In a salute to the past, current Dominion Handicap title holder Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) will race in next Friday’s Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s Cup Day at Ascot Park.

David Moss won back to back Dominions in 1993 and 1994.

Co-trainer Nathan Purdon confirmed yesterday that Oscar Bonavena will head south. He’ll also bring Self Assured, Treacherous Baby and Amore Infida. Self Assured will start in the $110,000 Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup, Amore Infida in the $25,000 Canada Stakes for three year old fillies and Treacherous Baby will run in the Forklifts NZ Mobile Pace for two year old fillies.

Swannanoa horseman Brendan Hill has confirmed that Beach Ball will run in the Cup and he’s also bringing Jimmy James Maguire and Point Break.

Beach Ball will head home after his run while Jimmy James Maguire and Point Break will stay at Craig Ferguson’s barn and race over Christmas/New Year on the Central Otago circuit.

Greg and Nina Hope are bringing up and coming trotter Mr Love south for the David Moss and Mossdale Ben for the Cup, while Mark Jones says he’ll nominate Tokyo Rose, What The Bell and Deny Everything for Cup Day.

Ashburton trainer Brent White says American Me will be in the Cup and is the stable’s only runner at this stage.

Steve Telfer indicated last week that Stonewall Stud will be bringing some fillies south. Cran Dalgety is yet to confirm whether Krug will defend his Invercargill Cup crown and whether he’ll be bringing Republican Party.

Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson is nominating a host of trotters for the meeting including Love N The Port, Majestic Man, Jimmy Carter, Aroha Kenny, Our Pinocchio, Missile and Pyramid Mystic.

Love N The Port received a small cut on a leg when racing on Grand Prix Day but Williamson is confident he’ll have the trotter ready for his race.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink