Young guns Self Assured, Oscar Bonavena primed for huge night
Two outstanding prospects are primed to make the monster night at Melton their own when they roll out for the super power All Stars stable.
The most dominant stable in this part of the world unleashes its two brightest young stars at Melton on Saturday night.
The All Stars barn, run by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, train and or drive favourites in four of the five feature races on Saturday night, but it’s four-year-olds Self Assured and Oscar Bonavena who have everybody talking.
Self Assured is the best and most exciting pacer in Australasia and Oscar Bonavena holds the same status in trotting ranks.
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So it’s no surprise they stifle betting in their races on Friday night. Self Assured has been backed from $1.50 into $1.30 with TAB in the Group 1 4YO Bonanza, while Oscar Bonavena has firmed from $1.85 into $1.65 in the Group 1 Dullard Trotters’ Cup.
Self Assured burst to prominence during the Queensland Winter Carnival with four wins and then went onto to win the Group 1 Auckland Cup — beating a string of established open-class stars, at just his 10th race start.
Victory on Saturday night would book him a spot in the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire at Menangle on February 22.
He’s also $1.75 favourite for the race. Beyond that, Self Assured’s target is the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 7.
“Outside of Lazarus, he’s potentially as good as any horse we’ve had and he’s still only very lightly raced,” Purdon said.
“He’s come through that huge run at Ballarat last week really well and, even though he might have to sit outside Lochinvar Art, I’m sure he’ll be very hard to beat this time.”
Oscar Bonavena, who is being set for a campaign against the world’s best trotters in North America next year, goes to Australia’s top trotting race, the Group 1 Great Southern Star (next Saturday) after his makes his Australian debut on Saturday night.
“It’s exciting to step him out in Melbourne for the first,” Purdon said. “He’s got so much speed and talent. It’s hard to work out how this race will be run, but he’s versatile and he’s as good as I can have him going into it.”
Purdon’s other key drive on Saturday night is TAB’s $2.50 favourite Stylish Memphis in the Victoria Oaks.
“The draw makes it a lot harder, especially with Dr Susan looking likely to run straight to the front, but this filly is really fast and I’d love the chance to hold her up and come with one run. It’ll really depend on the tempo because I can’t sit back if the leader is getting it all her own way,” Purdon said.
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Originally published as Young guns Self Assured, Oscar Bonavena primed for huge night
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