24 September 2024 | Ashleigh Paikos
Greg and Skye Bond head into Friday nights Gr1 Golden Slipper with three chances, but despite their optimistic outlook, they concede they may be running for second prize with the Gary Hall Snr trained Cyclone Jordy NZ holding strong claims heading into the $150,000 feature.
“I guess on paper, it looks like we’re running for second money,
“Gary’s horse looks to be a really quality animal and he’s drawn really well, and I guess anything can happen, but it does make it hard for us from the draws.” Skye Bond said
Team Bond goes into Friday’s feature with Mad Monday in barrier four, Belly Up in barrier five and Captainshavtime in barrier nine.
Disappointed after drawing barrier nine with Captainshavtime, with Skye Bond confirming she was likely to be their best shot before Tuesday mornings draw, Westbred Classic winner Belly Up who draws barrier five is likely to be their strongest hope in the final.
“I would have said the filly if she hadn’t drawn nine, I think she’s been working really well but that draw really hurts, but it’s probably between her and Belly Up (for their best chance).”
Always showing ability, the win in the 2YO Gr1 Westbred Classic came as no real shock, but he has been a slow burn for the stable, taking time to gain confidence
“He just got a little bit scared of his own shadow at times in races and sort of got quite overwhelmed, but hes just progressed very steadily throughout the season,
“It was probably set up for him a bit where they went hard and he had the chance to swoop wide and he got home, winning,
“He looked brilliant, but it wasn’t a super quick quarter getting home, so I guess I’d love to see him do it and have a look at getting a quicker sectional home too.”
Mad Monday goes into the race the only horse yet to win a race, and after just two starts in WA heads into his biggest race to date.
“I chose off the photos from the yearling sales in Melbourne.
“I picked him, liked his type, so we bought him over there and David Moran broke him in for us and gave him a few starts, then we brought him home and gave him a prep for ourselves,
“He’s definitely a progressive type, but still learning.”
Mad Monday finished second behind Xpress Party who claimed the maiden at Pinjarra on the 16th of September, with Xpress Party drawing barrier 12 this Friday.
Captainshavetime NZ is undefeated since making her debut in Perth, winning five in a row at Gloucester Park for the Bond Camp and was a winner at just start two in New Zealand in late April 2024.
The Field:
1. Cyclone Jordy NZ
2. Como El Viento NZ
3. Rocky Maguire
4. Mad Monday
5.Belly Up
6. Noble Thorondor
7. Into The Future
8. Reinette
9. Captainshavtime NZ
——– Second Row ———
10. Last Hard Copy
11. Paint The Palette
12. Xpress Party
13. Do It My Way (Em1)
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