Favourite declared fit for Cup tilt
TRAINER Murray Baker has declared Caulfield Cup favourite Bonneval fit and “as good as gold” after vets cleared the star mare of injury ahead of this Saturday’s $3 million handicap.
A drifting TAB $6 favourite, Bonneval suffered lacerations to her offside hind leg and was lame in her near side leg after Saturday’s Caulfield Cup Stakes.
Details of what were described as minor injuries triggered an immediate shift at the head of Cup markets with Bonneval easing from $5. But Baker is unperturbed. “We can’t find anything wrong with her. I’ve had a vet around this morning and he’s ticked her off,” Baker said.
“She’s trotted up without a problem and it’s onward to the Caulfield Cup.”
Chasing his second Caulfield Cup win – and first since Mongolian Khan in 2015 – Baker said he was happy with Bonneval’s performance behind Gailo Chop.
“It was a funny race. They didn’t go very hard early and she was back further than we thought, but I was happy with the way she ran on,” he said.
Baker assessed his other Cup runner Jon Snow’s third in the same race as “a very good run”.
“I was happy with him. He stuck at it,” he said. “He’s wanting 2400m and I’m hoping there will be rain about.”
Stewards will require a veterinary certificate for Bonneval despite Baker’s positive report.
Chief steward Terry Bailey said Bonneval would need to be cleared by Racing Victoria staff before taking her place in the field.
“We’ll require a veterinary certificate and one of our vets will have a look at her,” he said.
The final composition of the Cup field will become clearer over the next 36 hours as connections weigh decisions on a number of runners.
Lord Fandango is guaranteed a start – should trainer Archie Alexander decide to proceed – while Darren Weir is hoping Amelie’s Star will get a run.
Amelie’s Star sits 24th in the order of entry with a maximum of 18 starters and four emergencies, after being leapfrogged by Lord Fandango on Saturday.
Despite that, she is third favourite at $7.50 behind Bonneval and stablemate Humidor ($6.50).
Weir remains optimistic Amelie’s Star will snare a start, with the injured Francis Of Assisi (15th in order) and St Leger winner Big Duke (19th) certain to miss.
“Obviously we’re going to try to get a run in the Caulfield Cup and then onto the Melbourne Cup, that’d be the path we’d like to take,” Weir said. “Hopefully she can get in.” There are also doubts over several other runners, including Almandin and Hartnell.
If Weir secures a berth for Amelie’s Star, he will saddle three of the first four market fancies.
Admire Deus ($8.50) delighted jockey Craig Williams during a familiarisation gallop at Caulfield on Saturday, easily accounting for Burning Front.