Murray Baker has allayed injury concerns over Caulfield Cup favourite Bonneval but he thinks stablemate Jon Snow is just as much of a threat in Saturday's rich 2400m contest.
Kiwi trainer Baker said his vet found Bonneval was "as good as gold" on Sunday morning after the mare was found to be lame in her nearside foreleg and had lacerations after being beaten into sixth by Gailo Chop in the Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m).
Bonneval is still likely to have to pass further vet inspections but Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, insists the Caulfield Cup favourite is fit to take her place in the field.
However Baker says Australian Derby winner Jon Snow, who finished third in the Ladbrokes Stakes after being three and four wide on pace in the early stages, is just as attractive as Bonneval as a Caulfield Cup proposition.
Bonneval is the $6 favourite in latest Caulfield Cup markets while Jon Snow is $15.
"I know Bonneval is much shorter in the market, but they both rate about equal to me, I really couldn't pick between them," Baker said.
"I was really impressed by Jon Snow on Saturday, he did quite a bit of work in the run and he beat Bonneval home.
"Jon Snow is a Derby winner so you know he will be fine at the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup."
Punters who had backed Bonneval in long-range Caulfield Cup markets would have been sweating bullets after Racing Victoria vets reported the injury concerns after she was beaten more than four lengths in the Ladbrokes Stakes.
However Baker insists there is no issue that will keep her from taking her place in the $3million Caulfield Cup.
"We had our vet look at her and trotted her up and she was as good as gold," Baker said.
"The laceration is just a pretty superficial thing, she is fine.
"Nothing really panned out for her on Saturday, she was always going to get well back and she wasn't going to get around them the way that race was run.''
