Bonneval cleared of injury

MURRAY Baker says Caulfield Cup favourite Bonneval is “as good as gold” after vets cleared the star mare of injury.

A joint $6 favourite, Bonneval suffered cuts to her offside hind leg and was lame in her near side leg after the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Details of what were described as minor injuries triggered an immediate shift in markets for next Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) with Bonneval easing from $5.

“We can’t find anything wrong with her. I’ve had a vet around this morning and he’s ticked her off,” Kiwi trainer Baker said yesterday.

“She’s trotted up without a problem and it’s onward to the Caulfield Cup.”

Baker, who won the Caulfield Cup in 2015 with Mongolian Khan, said he was happy with Bonneval’s effort behind Gailo Chop on Saturday.

“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 said Jon Snow’s third in the same race was “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.”

Jon Snow is $15 for the Caulfield Cup.

Chief steward Terry Bailey said Bonneval would need to be cleared by Racing Victoria staff before taking her place in the race.

The composition of the field will become clearer over the next two days as connections weigh decisions on several horses.

Lord Fandango is guaranteed a start – should trainer Archie Alexander want one – and Darren Weir is hoping Amelie’s Star will get a run.

Amelie’s Star, equal favourite with Bonneval and Johannes Vermeer at $6, sits 24th in the order of entry after being leapfrogged by Lord Fandango on Saturday. There is a maximum of 18 starters and four emergencies.