Lynward Park-bred graduate Bondi Blossom impressed her trainer Brad Widdup when breaking through in the Poppy Parsons Memorial Maiden (1600m) at Gosford on Thursday.
Bondi Blossom (3f Bondi – Devils Arcade by Snowland) settled midfield off a sedate pace set by Slam Dunk (Supido) before swooping late to score running away by over a length from Phoenix Legend (Capitalist).
Given time to find her feet last season, she was given a sole run in the Gold Nugget 2yo Hcp (1100m) at Bathurst on Anzac Day and has gradually stepped up from a 1000m to 1600m in four runs this prep.
“She was unlucky when beaten a nose second-up at Kembla and then over-raced back there last start so we added blinkers yesterday,” Widdup explained on Friday morning. “It was a good win but I will probably send her out now. She can come back after a spell and get further as an autumn 3yo.”
Bondi Blossom (pictured) is from the same crop and the same mould as Lynward Park’s homebred Bondi filly Moonwalk who won a Northam maiden before doing her best work late when fifth in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Tuesday.
Widdup bought Bondi Blossom for $45,000 on behalf of Mulberry Racing owner Mike Gregg at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions. Her dam Devils Arcade won up to 1800m at Randwick for Gai Waterhouse and she also earned black-type with placings at Rosehill and Eagle Farm.
Lynward Park purchased Devils Arcade as a proven producer for $25,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale and her final foal before being pensioned is a 2yo colt by Bondi.
Widdup has purchased five yearlings at the last two Perth Magic Millions acting for Mike Gregg who is a billionaire investor as co-founder of Shearwater Capital. Australian-wide they accumulated 17 yearlings this year topped by $700,000 for a Home Affairs – Jazz Song filly at the Gold Coast Magic Millions that has been named Belle Chanteuse.
Apart from Bondi Blossom, their Perth purchases include two Playing God yearlings from Forest View Farm. The filly from Angel Sky that cost $210,000 at the 2024 Sale is named Azure Angel and she has been nominated to debut at Rosehill next Wednesday, November 12.
The Playing God – Truly Belong filly that made $90,000 earlier this year is from a mare who won in New Zealand before transferring to Perth where she added another three city wins and a placing in the LR Placid Ark Stakes for Peters Investments.
“The Perth horses we’ve seen over here have gone really well,” Widdup said. “Playing God is a great stallion and I do like Azure Angel. All going well, we will be back again for the Magic Millions in February.”
Bondi (Snitzel) stands for a $6,600 (inc GST) service fee at Lynward Park. For bookings or further information call Troy van Heemst on 0439 957 111
