Sydney on the cards after top effort at Oaks
Bonneval and Devise provided the quinella in Saturday’s New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham and the pair could meet again across the Tasman.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Bonneval was ridden to victory by Matthew Cameron for owners Terry Jarvis, John Rattray and Alister Lawrence.
The Cambridge filly’s trainers hadn’t thought beyond the $300,000 Group I race but in the wake of her strong performance have turned their mind to the ATC Australian Oaks.
‘‘We’ll decide in the next few days,’’ Forsman said with stablemate Nicoletta, fourth behind Bonneval, also a chance to make the trip.
The Randwick Group I feature for 3-year-old fillies takes place on April 8 and is worth A$1,000,000 in prizemoney.
The 2016 ATC Australian Oaks was won by Sofia Rosa after the Cambridge filly trained by Stephen Marsh had been first across the line a few weeks earlier in the NZ Oaks before her relegation to second behind Fanatic.
Second home on Saturday was another Cambridge-trained filly trained by Shaune Ritchie for owners, The Oaks Stud. Devise was brave after being given an economical trip by jockey Jonathan Riddell and was half a-length behind the winner.
The run has prompted connections to consider being in Sydney to take on the Australian Oaks.
‘‘If she shows no signs of fatigue from Saturday’s race we will be at Randwick,’’ Ritchie said. ‘‘She’s a fit horse and we will undertake a hit and run mission on the one race.
‘‘She’s done us proud all season and has been so consistent against the best fillies.’’
Third home in the Oaks was Savvy Dream from the Hastings stable of Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen. Connections would have liked the Savabeel filly to have settled handier in the running.
‘‘She was a victim of circumstances,’’ Lowry said. ‘‘We would have liked her to be a bit more forward in the running but all in all it was a good run.’’
A meeting between all parties will decide her future but Sydney won’t be part of the plan.
‘‘Brisbane [for the winter car- nival] is an option but we will keep all things in mind. It can be tough for them to come back as a 4-year-old if they are over-taxed, I know they are only three once but she’s going to be a lovely autumn 4-year-old into her 5-year-old season. We could have a lot of fun then, but we will sit down around the table and discuss the options.’’ After his win at Trentham on Saturday, Bonneval’s stablemate Saracino was all but confirmed for Sydney.