Hoping recent history continues in Chariots

POPULAR Victorian horseman Aaron Dunn hopes recent history can continue when he heads to Club Menangle in a fortnight.

Dunn will make the trek across the Murray for the Chariots Of Fire after Bondi Lockdown secured a berth in the $200,000 event just moments ago.

The Australian Pacing Gold purchase earned his spot in the famed sprint by capturing the Group One Four-Year-Old Bonanza at Tabcorp Park Melton.

Four of the past five Bonanza winners have been successful in the Chariots Of Fire!

“It’s another step up for the Chariots, but I’m excited to be going,” Dunn said. “You don’t get the chance to have a runner in those kinds of races very often.

“Those going up from Victoria after the Bonanza have had a pretty good strike rate during the past few years, so with a bit of luck that can continue when we head there in a couple of weeks.”

With Dunn in the sulky, Bondi Lockdown was surged away from barrier five to find the lead as Captain Crusader was taken to the ‘death seat’.

Fending off the initial challenge around the home turn, the son of Somebeachsomewhere dashed to a two-and-a-half metre win from Beyond Delight.

Kimble was three metres away third in 1:51.6 over 1720 metres.

Owned by Dunn, Bondi Lockdown took his record to 13 wins and eight placings from 27 starts for earnings of $287,020.

“He got a little wobbly on the first turn, but that’s the quickest I have ever asked him to come out,” Dunn said.

“After that he settled really well and was full of running turning for home.

“I was rapt with the way he found the line and this run will put him in good stead before we head to Menangle for the Chariots.”