A Day at the Oscar(s)

After just witnessing the latest running of the DG Jones Memorial BP Cup Trot on the grass at Motukarara, and after more than 60 years of watching harness racing, this writer might have seen the greatest trotting performance of his lifetime.

Oscar Bonavena (30m) gave 17 rivals a head start, sat at the back in a strung-out field with commentator Matt Cross suggesting he would need “wings” being some 15–20 lengths off pacemaker I Dream Of Jeanie with 800m to run. From there, he produced a motor that carried him “via the carpark” around the final turn before having the audacity to blow on by, officially finishing 8.5 lengths clear of second-placed Paris Prince at the post.

Mark Purdon, forever humble, was able to acknowledge a clapping crowd 100m from home in what was a very special performance by a very special horse.

Timing is everything, and surely now Oscar Bonavena deserves strong support from trotting breeders this coming season, which will be his second in the stallion barn.

Initially developed by Phil Williamson before being sold to Purdon and Chris Ryder, the son of Majestic Son has now raced 93 times for 36 wins and 26 placings, amassing $1.27M in stakes. He won once from three starts as a two-year-old and, now aged nine, appears to be as good and as sound as ever.

He has always been renowned for his high cruising speed, and his times compare very favourably with his pacing counterparts in some of his standout performances. Part-owner Purdon has no hesitation in suggesting that at his best, Oscar Bonavena would be as good as any American stallion import available to New Zealand breeders.

He’s won over a mile (best MR 1:53.8 at Ashburton), been a New Zealand record holder over 2400m and 2600m from a stand, and of course has comprehensively won a Dominion Handicap (Group 1) over the staying trip of 3200m. It doesn’t appear to worry him whether he races on the all-weather or the grass.

Breeders didn’t exactly rush to his “court” in his first season at stud. Officially, the NZSBA Stallion Register details that he served just 15 mares, but at $2500 and with his amazing temperament and family pedigree on show, he must deserve closer scrutiny from the trotting breeder.

His dam, Now’s The Moment (by Yankee Jolter), won five races and at stud has produced eight winners from her 12 live foals. Notably, aside from Oscar Bonavena, she has left Dr Hook (16 wins, $413k), Moment Of Truth (29 wins, $270k) and My Moments Truth (11 wins, $117k). She also rates as a half-sister to millionaire trotter Take A Moment (39 wins, multiple Group 1 winner).

Immediately after getting washed down following his stunning victory, Mark Purdon commented that the horse knew when it was race day and when it was “collection day”—and it was planned to collect him the very next day.

His main race target remains the Dominion Handicap on New Zealand Cup Day in November, but the stable acknowledges that nothing lasts forever and this is likely to be his last season of racing.

Colonial-bred stallions are all too often overlooked by commercial breeders in this country, but one would have to go a long way to find a better winning performance than that of Oscar Bonavena at “The Mot” on this day.