After plenty of pre-race drama surrounding the mare’s soundness, the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Bonneval has been cleared to take her spot in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup 2017 field.
Dual Oaks winner Bonneval has been given the green light to run in the 2017 Caulfield Cup field this Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Bonneval pulled up lame with leg lacerations after the four-year-old daughter of Makfi finished sixth as the beaten favourite last weekend in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
She was subsequently examined by Racing Victoria vets after the run and again on Wednesday, still showing signs of lameness yesterday.
RV chief steward Terry Bailey ordered a final vet check to take place on Thursday afternoon, despite co-trainer Baker’s instance that the dual Oaks winner over the 2400m was race fit taking no ill-effects from the weekend.
It has now been confirmed the one-time favourite for this year’s Group 1 $3.15 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) has ed the final investigation and will stablemate Jon Snow in the 17-starter field.
“Veterinary Information: Bonneval ed suitable to race in Caulfield Cup (21/10 Race 8) by two RV vets following inspection this afternoon,” @RVStewards announced on Twitter at 3:14pm.
A winner of six on the trot before last Saturday’s surprise failure, Bonneval took out the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at The Valley first-up followed by her Caulfield success in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m).
She lost Caulfield Cup favouritism after her winning streak came to an end and drifted out to $9 in the markets following her wide barrier 14 draw and subsequent health queries.
Bonneval remains one of five single-figure fancies in the Caulfield Cup odds that are led by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Irish raider Johannes Vermeer drawn a treat in gate two and second first-up in the Ladbrokes Stakes.
Her ATC Derby winning stalemate Jon Snow is $12 to hand Baker a second Caulfield Cup success in three years following the win of then four-year-old Mongolian Khan (2016).
Like Mongolian Khan, Jon Snow was last seen finishing third in the Ladbrokes Stakes and is drawn well in barrier six with Stephen Baster booked for the ride.
“I can’t really split them because Jon Snow’s been going really well,” Baker said of the stable’s two Caulfield Cup horses in 2017.
“He’s a Derby winner at 2400 metres which is the distance of the Caulfield Cup, so hopefully he’s right there.”
“They’re both pretty laid-back horses. They don’t do much on the (training) track. But they’re race day horses and that’s what counts.”
Kerrin McEvoy rides Bonneval for the first time on Saturday and has been confident of the mare running since partnering her in a Flemington gallop on the dirt early this morning.
“I’m not a vet, I’m a jockey, but the way she feels is fine. She’s happy,” the 2008 Caulfield Cup winning hoop on 40/1 roughie raider All The Good told the media.
To check the updated odds on Bonneval to win the Caulfield Cup on Saturday head to Ladbrokes.com.au.
