Aptly-named Back To Bondi is the latest winner to go back-to-back in recent weeks for Lynward Park.
Back To Bondi (4g Bondi – Black In Time by Blackfriars) tracked Pure Mac (Maschino) before putting the front-runner away in the PPS Group Hcp (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday. He was coming off a similar on-pace victory on September 9 and handled the rise in grade for trainer Trevor Andrews.
Lynward Park bred and sold him for $100,000 at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions and he’s paid that back while adding a fourth win in just 11 starts for Belhus Racing. “He took time to mature and develop into that frame,” Andrews reported. “He’s dropped his winter coat and is coming good in time for Ascot.
“My wife Joanne gave a glowing report after he galloped on Tuesday morning and stepping up to 1800m will suit him at Ascot.”
Jockey Holly Nottle said Saturday’s win (Photo / Western Racepix) was similar to another earlier victory over Pure Mac. “It panned out just like that day. I saw Jefferson (Tsang) go forward again and the race was run to suit again.”
Sired by Lynward Park resident Bondi (Snitzel), he’s the final foal from Black In Time who was Group 2 placed in the 2009 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) won by Ortensia (Testa Rossa) who went on to annex Group 1 features in England (Nunthorpe Stakes) and Dubai (Al Quoz Sprint).
Juniper (Russian Revolution) had won on debut at Northam before making it two-from-two in a blanket four-horse finish to the AFGRI Equipment Hcp (1200m) at Belmont on September 9.
The Lynward Park homebred mare settled midfield and was ridden patiently by Willie Pike for trainers Grant and Alana Williams. She took advantage of the cutaway before fighting off late closers Artie’s Storm (Flying Artie), Spanish Armada (Spiritjim) and Vienna Calling (I’m All The Talk).
“Juniper is tough and has plenty of upside heading forward,” Williams Racing reported. “She has an abundance of attitude but her natural ability has carrier her over the line so far. The win looked hard work at face value but the inside of the track played inferior which added merit to her victory.”
Her dam Fontainebleau (Alfred Nobel) won a LR Belmont Oaks (2000m) and LR Starstruck Classic (1600m) for Lynward Park and she has a 2yo colt named Marshall (Yes Yes Yes) and a yearling colt by Farnan.
Who’s Bent is another last-start Lynward Park-bred winning galloper who can double up next time out for trainer Mitch Pateman. He was a front-running winner of the Swan Draught Hcp (1100m) at Northam on September 13 and was withdrawn from a Class 3 over 1000m in the Avon Valley this Wednesday when asked to shoulder 62kg minus a 3kg claim for regular rider Giaan O’Donnell.
“He was my first winner at Ascot earlier this year and I love him,” O’Donnell said. “He’s tough, too and I appreciate all the support from Mitch and the team.”
Who’s Bent (4g Hellbent – Who’s Gorgeous by Northern Meteor) is the final foal out of a Canterbury winner purchased by Lynward Park for $13,000 from the Widden Stud consignment at the 2021 Inglis June (Late) Online Sale.
Who’s Gorgeous was sold with a free nom to Outreach, Stratum Star, Supido or Your Song but Lynward Park’s Troy van Heemst decided to pay a $22,000 service fee to Yarraman Park sire Hellbent.
“I chose Hellbent because she’s a slightly coarse mare who needed refinement and I thought Hellbent was a sire on the rise. In the scheme of things, $22,000 is barely half the cost of raising a horse. We don’t make any compromises on that journey, so it’s self-defeating to begin the process with anything less than an aspirational mating.”
Hellbent’s service has since risen to $55,000 alongside his own super-sire I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park.
Lynward Park stands Bondi (Snitzel) for a $6,600 (inc GST) service fee. For bookings or further information call Troy van Heemst on 0439 957 111.
