Bowman Blown Away By Bonneval

By Brad Gray

Sydney autumn’s staying three-year-old classics have been dominated by New Zealanders in recent years and if Hugh Bowman’s comments about Bonneval’s condition heading into Saturday’s Australian Oaks (2400m) are anything to go by, they can start etching her name into the trophy already.

Jon Snow last week made it three in a row for Kiwis in the Australian Derby following on from Tavago and Mongolian Khan while in the Oaks, Sofia Rosa won it last year with Rising Romance saluting two years prior to that.

“I rode her work Tuesday morning. I came out here (Rosehill) and rode Winx and Libran then went to Warwick Farm to ride Bonneval. The track was extremely heavy so it was hard to get a really good guide but what I can say is that the horse looks amazing,” said Bowman of the NZ Oaks winner.

“I haven’t seen a horse look that healthy for a long time just in her skin and her demeanour so having won the Derby last weekend, Murray Baker certainly knows the type of horse he needs to win these races.

“I haven’t spoken to Murray yet but the stable are very confident. She’ll certainly make her presence felt.”



The Makfi filly is currently rated a $4.20 chance with TAB.

Fields and form for Day 2 of The Championships