Bonneval showed she will be hard to beat in the Caulfield Cup with a strong staying performance to win Sunday's Group I $750,000 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
With the field strung out as Samovare and Single Gaze set a strong pace in front, Bonneval was allowed to settle fifth by Hugh Bowman with Hartnell trailing second last.
Both Bonneval and Hartnell came under pressure to chase passing the 600m and the race changed complexion early in the home straight with the leaders puncturing and the class horses closing.
Bonneval ($4.20) struck the front inside the final 100m and drew clear to defeat Hartnell ($2.10 fav) by one length with Gailo Chop ($12) staying on well for third, a short half head away.
Unfortunately for her rivals, Murray Baker, who trains Bonneval in partnership with Andrew Forsman, said there was further improvement in the four-year-old daughter of Makfi.
"She'd improved a bit from her last start but she's still got her winter coat, she's a very good mare," Baker said.
"She knows where the finishing line is and she does stick.
"We might run her in the Caulfield Stakes into the Caulfield Cup, she's a pretty relaxed mare and takes things as they are."
Bonneval has won her last six starts and Baker said he did not give Bowman any instructions.
"I just said to ride your own race, she was a bit handy early then dropped off and had to come again," Baker said.
"My main worry was that she might feel the ground today. She doesn't need it like a bog but isn't as effective on the hard.
"With 52.5kg she's out of Bowman's range for the Caulfield Cup, I think I've got a rider locked in but don't want to say just yet because, as you know, they can chop and change."
Bowman had a simple assessment of the performance.
"She's a genuine Cups contender this mare, I just wish I was light enough to ride her," Bowman said.
"They really poured the pressure a long way out and that suited me, I was hoping for a test."
Bonneval is now rated equal favourite by Sportsbet with Humidor at $5.50 for the Caulfield Cup.
BONNEVAL comes charging home to win the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. Baker + Bowman + Bonneval = 👌 pic.twitter.com/yIMNBZqLFa
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 1, 2017
