Bonneval Takes Earnings Past $1million in Dato Tan Chin Nam

On the short list for New Zealand Horse Of The Year, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained mare Bonneval began the new season on the same note she finished the last.

The 4yo daughter of Makfi (GB) took her winning sequence to five in Saturday's drama charged Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

The race could not have had a more dramatic start with the heavily backed favourite Star Exhibit rearing as the barriers opened, dislodging Mark Zahra.

Damian Lane settled the ATC Oaks heroine towards the tail of the field as He's Our Rokkii took up the early running.

Making her move 600 metres from home Bonneval was in a striking position at the point of the turn.

She reached the front 200m out before holding the challenge of Abbey Marie (Redoute's Choice) to score by a neck with Rhythm To Spare (Pins) four lengths further back in third.  (photo Grant Courtney)

The winning sequence began in the Group II Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic at Te Rapa in February, then the Group III Lowland Stakes at Hastings before earning a trip across the Tasman for the $1 million ATC Oaks when defeating Devise in the Group I NZ Oaks.

Well back early in the ATC Oaks, Bonneval charged home and had four and a half lengths to spare from Perfect Rhyme (Poet's Voice) with Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau) battling on bravely for third.

Murray Baker said the daughter of Makfi was not wound up for her seasonal bow.

"She was a fair way behind in condition due to the wet winter we've had at home," Baker said.

 "She's done nothing but improve since we got here and we know she can gallop.

"It's a pity the way the race was run. Bonneval had a clear passage but I'm not so sure about (stablemate) Lizzie L'Amour, the riderless horse tried to go up her inside and that seemed to unsettle her."

Bonneval hold entries for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups as well as the Cox Plate.

"The Caulfield Cup comes first so that will be the first one, all being well," Baker said. "She won two Oaks last season so I'm thinking she can get further but you never know until you try them.

"For her to run like that at her first start here and after the preparation she's had tells me she should be in for a good spring."

Owned by Terry Jarvis, Alister Lawrence and John Rattray, Bonneval advances her record to 6 wins and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $1,141,236.

Bred by Peter Newsom, Mac Whitehouse and Tony Wales's City Bloodstock, Bonneval was consigned to the 2015 NZB Premier Yearling Sale where she was knocked down to Baker Bloodstock for $150,000.

She is one of six winners, and four stakes-winners, from as many to race out of the remarkable Zabeel mare Imposingly.

Bonneval's half-sister Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur) won the Group III Adrian Knox Stakes before finishing fourth in the 2012 ATC Oaks won by Streama while another half-sister, Group III Manawatu Classic winner Lady Cumquat (Duke Of Marmalade), finished third in 2014 Adrian Knox Stakes won by Arabian Gold.

Rounding out the four stakes winners for Imposingly is Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winner Imposing Lass, a full sister to Bonneval.

A yearling filly by Epsom Derby winner Camelot out of Imposingly was passed in short of her $110,000 reserve at this year's NZB Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.

A three-quarter-sister to NZ Derby winner St Reims and dual Group I winner Champagne, Imposingly has a yearling filly by Cox Plate winner Adelaide and was covered by Makfi (GB) again last spring.