Bonneval cleared for Cup
Vet says Kiwi mare fit to race
RACING: Bonneval has been cleared to run in the Caulfield Cup.
The star Kiwi mare passed a second veterinary examination yesterday and, according to Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey, is no longer showing sign of lameness.
Bonneval’s offside foreleg was assessed by three vets, including two from RV.
“She’s fit to start in the Caulfield Cup,” Bailey said.
“There’s no indication of lameness there now, so she’s good to go.”
RV vets earlier said Bonneval was “one out of five lame” – a rating which indicates mild lameness when trotting in a straight line. But she was completely free in her action by late afternoon, winning the approval of the veterinary panel and stewards.
Stewards reported Bonneval suffered minor injuries when unplaced in the Caulfield Stakes on Saturday with initial RV veterinary bulletins describing her as “two out of five lame”.
Bailey said Jukebox’s scratching from February’s Blue Diamond Stakes was an example of why stringent vetting was necessary.
“Normally in these situations we get more than one vet’s opinion, and obviously it’s fair to say stable vet’s opinion, as opposed to the regulatory vet’s opinion, differ,” he said.
“Our normal procedure is to have more than one regulatory vet when it comes down to a tight call just to make sure the right one is made.
“Over the years these things have arisen. You’ve only got to go back to Jukebox in the Blue Diamond this year where there was a clear difference of opinion.
“That’s what we have regulatory vets (for), to protect the welfare of the horse, but people (are) putting their hard-earned on them.”
Jukebox was scratched by stewards on veterinary advice because of action issues in a decision which irked connections.
The colt soon after was reported to have been suffering from an abscess, vindicating the scratching.
Bonneval has drifted from $6.50 to $8 in latest TAB markets, despite a $5000 wager.
Trainer Murray Baker (pictured) was adamant Bonneval would be cleared to start – and he was proved right.
“She hasn’t missed a day’s work since she’s been here. She’s a contented horse,” he said.
“The same girl has been riding her for two years and she’s perfectly happy with her. Kerrin (McEvoy) rode her pacework yesterday and said everything was right.”