The Greg and Skye Bond team have strengthened their three-year-old stocks, with exciting New Zealand pacer Christopher Dance joining their stable.
Christopher Dance arrived at the Bond’s Forrestdale stable on Saturday and looks set to be a key player in November’s WA Derby (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
The colt won two and placed in three of his seven starts in New Zealand, including a gallant second to Cold Chisel in the Group 1 Northern Derby (2200m) at Alexandra Park in August.
Greg Bond said he’d been keeping a close eye on Christopher Dance’s progress in New Zealand.
“He was one that we’ve always liked,” Bond told Racing WA Harness.
“We spoke to connections six months ago and at the time they didn’t want to do anything.
“We bounced it off them again and the fact they were still able to retain a share in him made it appealing for them to send him here.
“We will let him settle in here and hopefully we will see him sometime in September.”
It adds to an already strong group of three-year-olds for the Bond stable, who won last year’s Golden Slipper with Vegas Strip, pictured above.
As well as Vegas Strip, the Bond’s have Tualou, Thelittle Master, Ten To The Dozen and Thenu Came Along aimed at upcoming three-year-old features.
Bond said he hoped Christopher Dance could establish himself as the stable’s leading three-year-old.
“I would like to think he’d be in that conversation and if he’s better than Vega Strip I’ll be happy,” he said.
“We’ve got a bit of time up our sleeve to get to know him.
“He’s an impressive looking animal and hopefully he will be a horse that can be a Free-For-All horse long term.”
The Bond stable also had hopes of getting Queensland Oaks winner Aardie B Miki to join their stable for a WA Oaks campaign.
Bond said getting the filly to Perth was an issue for owner Mike Tanev.
“He was wanting to send her here,” he said.
“He said he didn’t want to truck her across at this stage.
“Unless something pops up, he will likely leave her over east and tackle the Victorian Oaks.
“His preference was to come here because there’s a fillies race every second week here.”
WATCH Christopher Dance's Northern Derby Performance.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix