THE Kiwis are coming early for the Brisbane Inter Dominion.
Champion trainer Mark Purdon confirmed millionaire trotter Oscar Bonavena was due to arrive in Sydney today (Sunday) before heading to Brisbane.
Purdon, who trains in partnership with son Nathan, said star three-year-old Rubira would accompany Oscar Bonavena.
“They’ll pretty much head straight up to Brisbane,” Purdon said. “It works well to head across early and do their lead-up racing there.”
Nine-year-old Oscar Bonavena has won 33 races and banked over $1.1 million.
He upstaged Just Believe in the Group 1 NZ Trotting free-for-all last November at what turned out to be Just Believe’s last start.
Oscar Bonavena has been freshened since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on May 2.
That race was won by the David and Stacey White-trained Bet N Win, who is also bound for the Brisbane Inter Dominion.
Oscar Bonavena is $5 for the Inter Dominion final with Bet N Win slightly shorter at $4.50.
The market is in limbo with the uncertainty around Brisbane plans for $3 favourite Keayang Zahara.
A final decision may not be made on her until a June 14 race at Melton.
Rubira is one of NZ’s top three-year-olds with 12 starts netting seven wins, two seconds and a third.
The gelding hasn’t raced since upsetting boom pacer Marketplace at Group 2 level at Alexandra Park on March 14.
Marketplace has won all three starts, including two at Group 1 level, and boasts 10 wins from 16 starts.
Latest markets have Rubira a $4 third favourite for the Queensland Derby on July 19. NSW Derby winner Always Hot is $1.80 favourite with Queensland star Fate Awaits at $3.
“Like old Oscar, there are just so many nice and suitable races for Rubira in the build-up to the Derby,” Purdon said.
Local Adam Sanderson will drive the Team Purdon pair in their lead-up races with the door open for Mark Purdon to take the reins at Inter Dominion time.
