Fresh specialist Bonniegirl sprints clear
The fresh-up queen Bonniegirl got the black-type her connections desired yesterday.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman juggernaut rolled on with the mare’s win in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint (1200m) at Hastings.
Remarkably, Bonniegirl has been presented five times in a fresh state by her all-conquering trainers for five wins, yesterday’s being her first at black-type level and sixth career success.
‘‘She’s a little ripper really in this state [fresh] and she’s produced it again today,’’ Forsman said.
‘‘She had a lot to do when she straightened up.
‘‘I thought she probably had too much to do on what’s been a pretty holding track.
‘‘I’m just really thrilled she’s got her black-type. Well just keep her fresh now and look for more black-type options.
Jockey Matthew Cameron rode Bonnie girl to victory but was giving all the credit to the 5-year-old Darci Brahma mare running in the ownership of the estate of the late Ian McCarrison.
‘‘We’re rapt to see her do that,’’ Forsman said.
‘‘I’m thrilled for Chris McCarrison [widow of Ian].’’
Bonniegirl attacked the line with vigour to beat Underthemoonlight, who was also resuming, and Passing Shot.
‘‘I got held up behind the second horse and once we were clear she really got home,’’ Cameron said. ‘‘When you’ve got the horse underneath you it makes my job easier.’’
Less than an hour earlier at Randwick, Bonniegirl’s former stablemate Mongolian Wolf made a winning debut for new owners Australian Bloodstock.
He was recently purchased by the syndication company and placed with champion trainer Darren Weir.
Flamingo’s chances of a crack at a black-type race before her campaign closes were boosted at Hastings with a dynamic performance to maintain her unbeaten record.
The Pins filly appeared yesterday off the back of a debut victory at Waipukurau and she again turned on the style with another dazzling winning run.
‘‘She was very impressive the other day, I was pretty proud of her at Waipukurau,’’ said Emma Howarth, who trains the Waikato Stud-bred and raced 3-year-old with her father David.
Flamingo trumped that effort when she unwound powerfully from the back of the field under Matt Cameron.
Consideration will now be given to a start for Flamingo in the Group III Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, three times trainer Shelley Hale has made the trek with the Shinko King gelding and three times they have headed home with the winner’s purse.
His win in yesterday’s Open 1400m at Tauranga ensures he goes to next weekend’s $200,000 Manco Easter Stakes in tip top condition.
Part-owner Hale has done an outstanding job with the horse she races with the Noel and Alison Johnstone Family Trust and Robin Stent, winning six races with him from 15 starts and around $120,00 in stakes.
Seventh Up is one of a long line of winners the partners have bred from their mare Regelle.
They sold Thumbs Up to Hong Kong where he became a star, and she then produced Close Up (seven wins), Two Up (three wins) to go with Seventh Up’s haul.
After producing eight colts Regelle produced a Tavistock filly and then foaled a Burgundy colt last spring.
‘‘We didn’t get her in-foal last spring but she’s done a great job for us,’’ Hale said.
Yesterday, Seventh Up went to the post under veteran jockey Grant Cooksley as an odds-on favourite.
Cooksley never had any concerns and gave the favourite an easy time as he went to the line to comfortably beat outsider Hayley Grace with Danza Lad running on solidly for third.
‘‘He pulled up really well from the run,’’ Hale said. ‘‘Cookie said he was a bit fresh today but I thought the race would clean him up nicely for next weekend.
‘‘I felt he hasn’t had much racing and would need this race before the Easter.
‘‘It would be nice to be going into the Easter with 52kg or so but under the set weight and penalties conditions he will carry 55kg but should still be competitive.’’
Half-brothers Close Up and the maiden Next Up are in full work with Hale and getting near to resuming and ready to add to the family record.