Baker expecting plenty of Aussie interest in Bonneval

Every time Murray Baker’s phone rings at the moment he fully expects it to be an Australian jockey.

The Cambridge trainer knows he will be bombarded with calls from jockeys for the Caulfield Cup ride on New Zealand mare Bonneval after her dominant A$250,000 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Unfortunately for Baker and Bonneval’s owners, Saturday’s win- ning rider, the underrated Damian Lane, is unavailable for the Caulfield Cup mount, being required for one of the runners for champion trainer Darren Weir.

“I won’t have trouble finding a decent rider,” said Baker in the understatement of the weekend.

Baker is pleased with the condition of Bonneval and Lizzie L’Amour after their vastly different returns to the track.

“Both are in great condition coming out of the race,” he said.

There were worrying moments post race for Baker when Lizzie L’Amour, expected to finish in front of Bonneval, dropped out from the 500m and was pulled up by Damien Oliver.

She was found to have suffered a bout of cardiac arrhythmia, where the heart rhythm suddenly and dramatically changes and blood flow is affected.

There is no lasting effect from the condition and Lizzie L’Amour will continue her Melbourne campaign.

“She’d been working terrifically well and we expected a big run from her,” said Baker. “We expected her to beat Bonneval home.”

Three factors need to be taken into account when assessing the Bonneval run.

Lizzie L’Amour was out of contention, as was joint favourite Star Exhibit who reared as the start was made and threw rider Mark Zhara out the back of the starting stalls.

The other joint favourite He’s Our Rokkii turned in a shocker when he could have been expected to kick on strongly, after Dwayne Dunn set a cruisy tempo in front on him.

Balancing that is that Bonneval and Lizzie L’Amour were the only runners still sporting a winter coat in the parade, coming out of a wet and cold New Zealand winter.

The 1600m is well short of Bonneval’s optimum distances. She is a dour stayer as she showed in drawing away from the opposition in the 2400m Australian Oaks in Sydney in the autumn.