By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Lyndon Bond may have the least fancied runner in Monday’s star-studded Group Three Majestic Son South Bay Trotters Cup (2600m), but that hasn’t quelled his excitement ahead of the transferred Kaikoura meeting at Addington Raceway.
Bond will line-up eight-win gelding Tweedledee in the trotting feature where he will compete against some of the country’s best trotters, including Group One winners Sundees Son, Majestic Man, and Muscle Mountain.
The son of Superfast Stuart heads into the race in a fresh state and Bond said he has handled the trip north from his Matarua base well.
“We travelled up on Saturday and he has settled in well at Jamie Gameson’s,” he said.
Tweedledee takes a workout and trial win into Monday and Bond said the run will set him up well for a tilt at the Gr.1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot (3200m) at Addington Raceway on Friday-week.
“It is a big step up in grade. He has had a couple of workouts and the run will bring him on for the Dominion,” Bond said.
“It (targeting the Dominion) has always been in the back of our mind since he won six races last season. It will be exciting to be there.
“The two miles will really suit him, he is a great follower of speed. If he goes away and gets a good run, hopefully he will be running on.”
Tweedledee is owned by Bond’s father, former trainer Jimmy Bond, and he said it’s a great thrill to be competing in some of the biggest trotting races in the country with the gelding.
“Dad has been in racing all of his life. He has been the instrumental person behind us over the years,” Bond said.
“He owns Tweedledee, so it is great to have a horse for him going at this level. Dad has been great all the way through life, so it is awesome to be here and competing against the better horses. It is a very smart line-up this year.”
Bond will also line-up Crusher Collins in the Vic & Irene Smith Discretionary Handicap Trot (2600m) and Beez Neez in the Dunlea Products Pace (2600m).
“Crusher Collins did things wrong last start,” Bond said. “On her day she goes well. We will make a couple of gear changes for tomorrow. Hopefully she can go away but we are eyeing up a mobile 1980m on Show Day.
“The other fella has done a mighty job since we bought him off Stephen Boyd. It will be another step for him. We brought him along as a mate for Tweedledee to keep him happy. He will go on from tomorrow to the South of the Waitaki (on Show Day).”
