Trainer Bjorn Baker is confident that classy mare Bonny O’Reilly will prove tough to beat when she steps out in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1350m) at Doomben Racecourse.
Bonny O’Reilly will carry terrific form into Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Doomben. Photo: Steve Hart
Baker has experienced plenty of success this season, however Bonny O’Reilly has undoubtedly been one of his better performers and the talented mare will take her place in the Tattersall’s Tiara field off the back of three impressive wins and a last-start third in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) over course and distance.
Pleased with her performance from a tough draw last time out, Baker is confident that Bonny O’Reilly is in peak condition and will give herself every chance of becoming the 2017 Tattersall’s Tiara winner.
“I thought it was a really good run. I probably over thought it a bit,” Baker told Past The Post.
“I thought it was hard when you draw outside, I was a bit reluctant to push on and be outside the lead.
“(Jockey Noel) Callow got the ride late and he wanted to jump and be outside the leader but I thought we might get caught three deep. If I (hadn’t) said that she probably would have been a bit closer at the finish.
“The reason we backed up into that race, we would have been three weeks between runs stepping up from what was probably a soft 1200m win.
“I like them to be rock hard fit, it’s one of my theories. You know they’re going to be strong at the finish.
“She has a remarkable racing pattern where she can put herself there, switch off and her ringcraft is second to none in terms of horses I’ve trained.
“If she draws a soft gate she will jump, put herself there and hopefully she can get the breaks.”
Bonny O’Reilly has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her entire racing career so far and will take her place in the Tattersall’s Tiara field with a record of seven wins and two minors, through only ten competitive appearances.
Bonny O’Reilly is currently available at early Tattersall’s Tiara odds of $11 with online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
