With Samovare and Single Gaze pouring on the pressure 800 metres from home, the $400,000 Group I Underwood Stakes (1800m) was going to be a survival of the fittest, the right recipe for the reigning New Zealand Horse Of The Year Bonneval to put her superior staying ability on display.
With Hugh Bowman in the saddle, the daughter of Makfi came from well back to move into a challenging position on the turn.
Race favourite Hartnell followed her through but could get no closer than a length on the line.
Gailo Chop was a short head away third. (photo Darryl Sherer)
It was the sixth consecutive win and third at the highest level for the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained mare advancing her record to 7 wins and 1 third from 10 starts with earnings of $1,593,235.
"They really poured the pressure on a long way out and it suited me because I was hoping for a bit of a test," Bowman said.
"She was a dominant winner in the Oaks and we saw her resume in good form two weeks ago.
"She is a genuine Cups contender this mare, I just wish I was light enough to ride her.
"To win another Group 1 for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman means a great deal.
"This mare has a lovely future ahead and obviously she has a big spring ahead let's hope we will hear about her for the next couple of years."
Winning the
"We didn't know what to expect today, second-up and she still has that winter coat to lose yet but we thought she had improved a bit from
"She measures up to past winners (The Phantom, Lion Tamer and Dundeel), she is a very good filly and it is her sixth Group win in a row and she knows where the finishing line is.
"She is in the Caulfield Cup and we will give her one more race – possibly the Caulfield Stakes.
"She doesn't worry about too much, she is a very relaxed horse so we'll take it as it is."
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 the 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.
