Red Letter Day for Bon Hoffa

Mark Smith - Saturday September 23

A red-letter day for Bowness Stud's Bon Hoffa with his hugely promising son Don't Give A Damn leading home a 1-2-4 finish for his sire in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill only to be topped by the Ciaron Maher-trained Bons Away who downed the Everest hope Brave Smash (JPN) in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Under a well-timed finished by Linda Meech, Bons Away defeated Brave Smash by a head with the veteran Fast 'N' Rocking two lengths back in third.  (photo Grant Courtney)

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It was the fourth consecutive win for the 4yo gelding who was having his first taste at stakes level.


Carrying the same colours as his Group I winning sire, Bons Away advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $140,090. 

"He's a horse with a lot of confidence at the moment and has really got his tail up," Meech said.

"He would have let off a ripping sectional from the 500 to the 200 metres and then got a little bit tired, but he got a break on the second horse and was able to hold him."

"I was on the back of Damian Lane to the turn and was happy to miss the trouble. I think the wind is making it difficult for some horses today, playing with their balance.

"The turn of foot he showed today makes you think he might be able to get away with a nice race over the carnival - he travelled like a good horse all the way and he keeps winning."

Bred by Parador Park Thoroughbreds, Bons Away is the third winner from as many foals out of the Mossman mare Villa Albani who was a $2,000 purchase at the 2012 Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.

Her dam Vila Valencia is a sister to Maid For Me the dam of dual Group II winner and Group I placed Maid For Me (Sebring) and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Patou the dam of Group I Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express).

Villa Albani has a 2yo Street Boss (USA) filly named Street Icon and a yearling filly by Bon Hoffa. She was covered by Kuroshio last spring.

Bons Away becomes the third stakes winner for Bon Hoffa who stands at Bowness Stud for a fee of $5,500. 

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