Last season’s leading Tasmanian trainer, Wayne Yole, looks forward to the road ahead with Mr Bondi, who lines up in the Ladbrokes Racing Club Stakes (1680m) in Launceston on Sunday night.
The pacer ran the second fastest time in the state and was placed in record time behind Triedtotellya in Launceston on Sunday in 1:53.7s. Mr Bondi’s individual mile rate was recorded in 1:53.8s, which also broke the state record of 1:54.1s held by four horses.
“Triedtotellya, if he holds up, he will be a top horse, and it’s unbelievable how much they broke the record by,” said Yole.
“It was a very pleasing effort,” the trainer said of Mr Bondi’s effort.
“He is a very nice horse, and Stephen (Wyles of Solotrek Racing) knew that when he brought him when the opportunity came up.
“We expect good things of him, but there are some good horses down here at the moment,” said Yole.
Mr Bondi will again contest a 1680m race on Sunday, where he has drawn the pole with in-form claiming novice driver Lachlan Dakin to take the reins from the pole draw.
“Lachie is driving well, and he has got the three-point claim. He has been driving well the last few months, and his couple of winners have boosted his confidence.
“I’m all for giving any junior that wants to have a go, a go, as they are the industry’s future,” said the trainer.
Yole’s stable is well represented on Sunday, with Mr Bondi being the stables best winning chance.
“He is the standout of them on Sunday. My horses have been going well at the moment, but racing is very competitive down here at present.”
Sunday’s eight-race card also includes the Stan & Katie Leedham Memorial (2200m) for the open-class pacers, with five of the 10 runners coming through the recent Group 1 Tasmania Cup, with most runners set to contest heats of the Easter Cup next week.
The first race is scheduled for 17:55.