Bonneval Caulfield Cup doubts linger after vet inspection

Ben Dorries - Wednesday October 18

Doubts linger over whether Bonneval will take her place in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, with Racing Victoria vets concerned the Kiwi mare is still showing signs of lameness.

Advertisement
Doubts linger about whether Caulfield Cup second favourite Bonneval will be cleared to take her place in the field Photo: Darryl Sherer

Chief steward Terry Bailey told Bonneval's trainer Murray Baker an RV vet inspection on Wednesday showed the Kiwi contender was "one out of five lame."

Bailey said Bonneval would need to be re-inspected on Thursday and he would have to consult with Baker's vet.

Baker protested "there is nothing wrong with her" and said Kerrin McEvoy was more than happy with her gallop on Wednesday morning.

Baker insisted he would not run the mare if there was any issue and said any signs of lameness "might just be the horse's trait."

"I have heard that before," Bailey replied.

"To be sure, to be sure, she will need to be checked out tomorrow."

Baker says the mare, the $7.50 second favourite in latest markets, is fine to run in the Caulfield Cup despite suffering cuts to her offside hind leg and being found to be lame in her near side leg after Saturday's Group I Caulfield Stakes.

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Australian Guineas Aim for Flying Artie Colt
Flying Artie always looked to have a strong three year-old crop to run for him this season and leading the charge is talented colt Sixties, who is his highest priced yearling ever sold and comes from a family very much on the up.
Torryburn Stud Out To Continue Outstanding Classic Success
As the highest prizemoney earning Australian-bred still in training, six-time G1 winner Voyage Bubble is a graduate of the Inglis Classic yearling sale, having topped the 2020 sale when knocked down to Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu for $380,000m when offered by the Cornish’s Torryburn Stud. In 2026, the team presents a quaility draft of seven yearlings, four fillies and three colts.
30th SW Almanzor - Manzor Blue Wins G3 Wellington Cup
Palmerton North mare Manzor Blue caused a major upset when taking out the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Hidrix Breeder Speechless After $1.7mColt Wins on Debut
The $1.7m Easter colt Hidrix (Extreme Choice) surged into Golden Slipper contention with a dominant debut victory in today’s G3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill.
G3 JRA Plate Goes To Willaidow
Having been a great money earner for connections, the Marc and Mitchell Conners trained Shamus Award gelding Willaidow recorded consecutive wins in the Group 3 sprint, taking out this year’s $250,000 ATC G3 JRA Plate (1200m) at Rosehill.
Wrote Mare Turns Back the Clock for Second G3 Bellmaine
Seven-year-old mare Wrote To Arataki landed her second Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) three years after her first, with a strong front-running success under Dean Yendall at Caulfield on Saturday.
Black Type for Home Affairs Blueblood Filly
The Group III MRC Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday for colts and fillies produced a dominant winner in Big Sky with blueblood filly La Gitana a gallant third on debut.
Another Staying Star for St Jean?
It turns out Caufield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours was not the only promising stayer by the ill-fated sire St Jean (IRE) sold as part of the Halo Racing Unreserved Reduction on Inglis Digital in November 2024. 
New SW Staphanos - Special Sakura Wins Listed
Taranaki visitor Special Sakura upset the applecart when she led from go to whoa to bring up just her third career victory, and first at black-type level, when winning the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 31
Here is the full list of 103 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.