Greg and Skye Bond, poised to be the State’s leading trainers for the 2014-15 season, dominate the $25,000 Happy Birthday Luciana Walton Schrader final at Gloucester Park on Friday night with five of the 12 runners.
All five are in sparkling form, and even though Condrieu is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the back line in the 2130m event, he makes strong appeal as the stable’s main chance.
The Bonds dominated the 2014 Schrader final in which they were successful with Tuapeka Kahu, with their other runners Jay Bees Grin finishing third, Lunar Tide fourth, Condrieu fifth and Im Terrific sixth.
Apart from Condrieu the stable will be represented this year by Ohoka Squire (barrier one), Lunar Tide (three), Jungle Jewel (five) and Phoenix Warrior (No. 3 on the back line).
Looming large as the horse most likely to spoil the Bond party is the talented Norvic Nightowl, a newcomer to the stables of champion trainer Gary Hall sen. who has been most impressive at his first four starts in Western Australia after arriving from New Zealand. Those four outings produced three stylish victories and a head second to Chief Thundercloud in the 3309m Marathon Handicap.
Condrieu possesses dazzling gate speed and has set a brisk pace in winning at three of his past four starts. From the inside of the back line this week, reinsman Colin Brown will have to adopt different tactics. However, Condrieu has shown in the past that he can unwind a devastating finishing sprint after racing back in a field.
The New Zealand-bred five-year-old was not extended in bursting straight to the front from barrier nine last week, setting the pace and coasting to victory over Cyamach in a 2536m event. A week earlier Condrieu had a tough run in the breeze before taking the lead 470m from home. However, he had to lower his colours to stablemate Ohoka Squire, who flashed home to snatch a last-stride victory after enjoying a soft run in fifth position on the pegs.
Ohoka Squire’s prospects in this week’s final soared when he drew the coveted No. 1 barrier on the front line. Lauren Jones should have the six-year-old in a commanding position throughout the race.
The other Bond runners also have been in fine form, with Lunar Tide’s past five runs producing two wins, a second and a third. Jungle Jewel is in magnificent form. She has sprinted home brilliantly to win over 2130m at each of her past three starts. Phoenix Warrior’s current campaign has produced eight wins, two seconds and two fourths from 12 starts.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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