Team Bond wins four at Gloucester Park
The powerful Greg and Skye Bond team hit Western Australia’s premier track along with their stable driver Deni Roberts to land four winners on Friday evening. It was also an added bonus for Roberts as she landed her 100th race success for the season with Mad Monday’s win.
The Bond team’s major win was with crack four year old Mad Monday (Vincent) who gave a powerhouse display of front running to take out the $125,000 Group 2 Racing WA Classic. In doing so Mad Monday has kept his prospects open for the $1.5 million Eureka at Menangle on 21 November.
From his favourable draw Deni Roberts guided the nuggety gelding to the front and from then on he was the one to beat. His main danger Runkle Crunch was able to secure a one out and one back trail as Cyclone Jordy whizzed around the field to face the breeze.
MAD MONDAY 23 OCT REPLAY
However with the sectionals that Mad Monday was running in the lead it would have taken a very special horse to run him down and when Roberts went for home on the final bend the race was as good as over. Runkle Crunch battled on gamely for a credible second while Stormy Vista who raced behind the leader holding on for third. Mad Monday rated 1.54.7 with his last quarter in 27.3 seconds.
Roberts reflected after the event.
I thought we probably would’ve had to do a little bit more than that, but just got to keep him in his comfort zone, and he just slowly quickened. He’s fast, he’s tough and he’s honestly turning into the complete package. And a really exciting future for him to come.
Hopefully we can get someone (to give us a slot for the Eureka)… If the winning run can continue, obviously his next run will be the Nugget, and if we happen to take that one out, they’d be silly not to.
On her achievement of 100 race wins for the season Roberts commented
With the new system, I probably haven’t been driving as much as what I used to, so getting the hundred I definitely appreciate that now. We’ll just keep ticking the boxes and hopefully we’ve got some big races in store for us coming up.
The stable has a very useful second string four year old with Troubadour (Rocknroll Hanover) who did a power of work winning the opening event.
Harrison John (Always B Miki) gave a tough staying performance to outslug his rivals in the distance event.
The stable’s fourth success came by way of classy filly Manuka Bay (Downbytheseaside) who is looking more a serious Derby contender with her second win in succession. She led all the way and is racing in peak form.
The immediate target for Mad Monday is the Group 1 $200,000 Golden Nugget to be staged at Gloucester Park on 6 November and this will be the gelding’s sternest test especially if he isn’t able to lead. But if he takes out the event he has a powerful case for a slot holder to express interest in him for the Eureka. It would also be a wonderful attraction to have a pacer from Western Australia’s in Australia’s richest harness race. All eyes will be on him in the coming weeks.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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