Top Kiwi trainer Murray Baker has given the go ahead for stablemates Bonneval and Jon Snow to back up in this Saturday’s Group 1 $3.15m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.
Bonneval, above, is set to back up in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Baker has dismissed reports that his Dual Oaks winning mare pulled up lame after her unlucky sixth in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday and will push ahead to the Caulfield Cup.
“I’m not really sure what they are talking about as she pulled up in good shape and trotted up perfectly on Sunday morning,” Baker told the New Zealand Racing Desk.
“There’s nothing amiss with her and she will be ready to run the race of her life.”
Jon Snow also kept his chances alive for the Caulfield Cup with another solid effort that saw him fill third place in the Ladbrokes Stakes and Baker is also keen on his chances.
“Jon Snow was very good and battled on strongly which is what we wanted to see,” Baker said.
“I thought they both went well with Bonneval becoming a victim of circumstances through her outside barrier draw.”
“Once she drew wide we had to go back with her and she didn’t really get much of a crack at them in the run home.”
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Bonneval and Jon Snow both kicked off their Melbourne Spring Carnival in winning form and will head into the Caulfield Cup as two of the main chances.
Bonneval started off her 2017 Spring Carnival campaign in great style with a first up win in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 9 followed by a win in the Group 1 $750,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on October 1 before her unplaced effort in the Ladbrokes Stakes.
While Jon Snow found the winner’s stall two starts back in the Group 3 $200,000 MSC Signs JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley on September 29.
Bonneval has held her place at the top of the betting for the Caulfield Cup, sharing favouritism with the Darren Weir trained Humidor at $6.50 with Ladbokes.com.au while Jon Snow is marked as a $15 chance.
Early market order for 2017 Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6.50 Bonneval, Humidor, $7 Admire Deus, Johannes Vermeer, $7.50 Amelie’s Star, $9 Harlem, $13 Inference, Venture Storm, $15 Jon Snow, $21 Abbey Marie, Lord Fandango, Marmelo, $26 Almandin, Single Gaze, $34 Lizzie L’Amour, $41 Big Duke, Wicklow Brave, $51 or better the rest.
