Mad Monday takes out Preux Chevalier

Much improved pacer Mad Monday (Vincent) scored his best success to date with all the way harness racing win in the $100,000 Group 2 Tabtouch Preux Chevalier Four Year Old classic at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Favourite Runkle Crunch was slow to commence early with Last Hard Copy going hard but not able to hold Mad Monday whose driver Deni Roberts was determined to lead at all costs.

Lazy Dais from angled back early as Runkle Crunch made his run after the field settled down to race outside Mad Monday.

MAD MONDAY 17 APR REPLAY

Runkle Crunch looked to be travelling quite easily alongside Mad Monday who was given a breather in front by Roberts.

However Mad Monday had plenty in reserve as Runkle Crunch started to give ground on the final bend and Lazy Dais was also a beaten horse at that stage.

It was left to Last Hard Copy who had sat behind the leader to issue a strong challenge but Mad Monday had enough in reserve to win by a metre with another outsider Belly Up eight metres away third. Mad Monday rated 1.56 for the 2536 metre journey.

Mad Monday has done wonders since joining Greg and Skye Bonds stable during 2024. The gelding had his first four starts for David Moran in Victoria before transferring to Bond’s establishment.

Deni Roberts expressed her confidence in Mad Monday.

All I had to do was lead. He’s been really unbeatable in front and he had to run a bit of a lead time and the 25 (2536 metres) I thought would probably test him but it just goes to show the strength he’s come back with this time and he fought that horse off (Last Hard Copy) even though it probably should have got over him with a nice trip on his back so yes, no really happy for the horse he’s a stable favourite and really good to see him showcase this now.

He’s definitely the one in the spotlight.

Mad Monday has now won his last four appearances at Gloucester Park and must now be considered as a serious prospect for the $200,000 Group 1 Golden Nugget to be run in early November at Gloucester Park.

Runkle Crunch’s performance was queried. Although he tired to finish eighth, he’s much better than what he showed last night and improvement can be expected in the future.

The win completed a treble for Roberts and the Bond stable. Earlier in the evening former New Zealander Here’s Herbie (Sportswriter) was most impressive despite racing outside the leader and then four year old mare Captainshavtime (Captain Crunch) was far too good leading all the way in the Mares Consolation.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink