One-time AAMI Victoria Derby runner-up Bondeiger has switched stables and is now under the care of record-chasing trainer Darren Weir.
Bondeiger was previously raced by Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien, who took the War Pass entire to a close second behind Preferment in the Derby.
Rising five, Bondeiger hasn’t won since his three-year-old campaign – a fourth-placing behind Amralahin the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) in the spring being his best performance of late.
Bondeiger is nominated to debut for the Weir stable on Saturday, one of 20 horses on the shortlist for a 2000m handicap worth $90,000.
Weir also has Au Revoir and Saturday winner Royal Rapture nominated for the same race, as he continues his pursuit of John Hawkes’ record of 334 winners in an Australian racing season.
Royal Rapture, winner of the David Bourke Provincial Plate (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday, is also nominated for a 1700m Benchmark 90 race.
Also down for Saturday is champion Tasmanian three-year-old Jerilderie Letter – who won the Listed Tasmanian Guineas, Hobart Guineas and Tasmanian Derby treble earlier this year, beating subsequent SA Derby winner Howard Be Thy Name in the process.
The Adam Trinder-trained gelding is nominated for a 1400m Benchmark 90 race. Read Andrew Eddy’s feature on the horse here.
Also in the mix to return to racing is the Mark Kavanagh-trained mare Fast Approaching.
The New Approach four-year-old strung together back-to-back metro wins at Caulfield in January, and finished her preparation in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes – won by subsequent G1 winner Azkadellia.
– racing.com
