Bonneval good for Caulfield Cup
Master trainer Murray Baker was a relieved man on Sunday morning after he and Cambridge training partner Andrew Forsman were given a scare when class mare Bonneval was well beaten in Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes (2000).
Stewards reported a post race veterinary examination revealed the mare had sustained a small wound on the off hind pastern and was lame in the near foreleg and will require a vet clearance before racing again.
While Bonneval’s jockey Damian Lane stated he had difficulty obtaining a clear run from the 600m but was satisfied with the run once into clear running in the straight.
Baker said the mare was given a trot on Sunday morning and given the once over by his vet.
‘‘There’s nothing wrong with her,’’ he said. ‘‘She was vetted this morning and there’s nothing wrong with her at all. She will be ready to run the race of her life.’’
Baker was willing to forgive the run by next Saturday’s Caulfield Cup favourite.
‘‘I warned before the race that she would find it difficult from her wide draw,’’ he said. ‘‘I thought she went well.
‘‘She drew wide and had to go back plus she’s a mare who needs some room and having to change ground to try and find a run made her job tough.’’
Lane was aboard in the A$1 million race but his commitment to Humidor in the A$3 million Caulfield Cup makes way for A$10 million The Everest hero Kerrin McEvoy to take the ride on Bonneval.
‘‘We haven’t backed her up before but it shouldn’t be an issue, she’s a pretty laid back mare,’’ Baker said.
Stephen Baster sticks with Jon Snow after the pair earned A$90,000 for a gallant third (and Bonneval A$20,000 for sixth) in the Caulfield Stakes.
‘‘He’s good, he’s very well that horse and he just needs a bit of rain to be a big chance on Saturday – and we might get some too.’’