Team Bond and Deni Roberts on fire with treble

Ultra consistent pacer Mad Monday (Vincent) completed a treble for trainers Greg and Skye Bond and driver Deni Roberts with a well timed burst to take out the Bridge Bar Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Mad Monday has been one of the State’s improved pacers having won his last four previous appearances at Perth headquarters and was considered to be a top chance to continue his winning streak.

From his second row draw, Mad Monday settled one out and three back as Bettors Pride found the lead with My Lightning Banner taking the trail behind the leader.

Roberts let Mad Monday go at the bell and he sustained a run along the back straight to set out after the leaders. Mad Monday always looked likely to win as those behind him struggled to make up much ground. Im Lightning Banner gained a split on straightening but Mad Monday had the field covered and he was able to win by just over two metres from Im Lightning Banner with Bettors Pride third. Rocknrollartist finished on nicely for fifth after being near last in the final lap.

MAD MONDAY 1 MAY REPLAY

Roberts was full of praise for Mad Monday and she has a high opinion of the four year old gelding.

He’s a very nice horse.

I thought I might have been able to stay in a bit longer than I did but it was nice for him to pop out and do some work out wide but he actually went to the line pretty comfortable. He’s come back just absolutely incredible form.

Roberts won the first event on the programme when In Rare Air (Bettors Delight) came with a sit one out and mid field to storm home in a well timed sprint to beat American Machine and Ideal Beach in the Three Year Old.

But it was the performance of Here’s Herbie (Sportswriter) in the following event that had pundits thinking that this is a horse well above the average after his resounding win. Caught three wide early and in the middle stages Here’s Herbie finally found the front.

Although having done a ton of work, he moved clear of his rivals on leaving the back straight and at the finish he had over 22 metres to spare over Chase Me and Starlight Dream ahead of the chasing pack. Here’s Herbie rated an impressive 1.55 for the 2130 metres including a fast 27.6 seconds for the final quarter.

Well raced in New Zealand, Here’s Herbie has won at his only two Australian appearances and looks to have a bright future as driver Deni Roberts pointed out.

He was a bit lackadaisical getting there (to the lead) I might have to take the plugs off or put a bit of head gear on him, but once he got there it was track work after that. We made a couple of changes to his bit from last week and put a little strap on him to get around the corner and he was a lot better that’s definitely promising for his future here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink