Top mare Bonneval returning to work
Reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval’s return to her Cambridge base is imminent.
The multiple Group 1 winner and the country’s top-rated performer was side-lined earlier this year with a suspensory ligament issue.
The winner of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield in the spring off the back of a first-up success in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, Bonneval subsequently spelled and was being prepared for the Group 1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) before she was injured.
“She’s looking good and she’ll be back in the stable next week, along with Jon Snow and we are hopefully looking toward the Melbourne spring with them again,” said Murray Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman.
Jon Snow won the Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m) and ran third in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) before he finished less than five lengths off the winner Boom Time in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at his last appearance.
Meanwhile, the stable has two strong chances in the Balance Agri-Nutrients LTD 2YO (1200m) at Hawke’s Bay on Thursday. The in-form Qiji Express and the debutante Ignored will both appreciate the expected Dead 5 going at Hastings.
“Qiji Express has had no luck at all in his last two starts and the better ground will help him,” Baker said.
“Ignored is a pretty smart filly, they are both promising horses.”
Qiji Express finished third two runs back after racing three wide without cover and on his return to Te Rapa for the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) he was again luckless.
The Shamexpress colt ran fourth after being blocked for room in the straight. A half-sister to the stakes winners Sharp Princess and Include, Ignored was placed in her most recent trial at Cambridge earlier this month.