Baker says scans on Caulfield Cup contender Bonneval are all clear

Ben Dorries - Thursday October 19

Murray Baker says scans on Bonneval, ordered by stewards, have come back all clear and Kerrin McEvoy also expects the Kiwi mare will take her spot in the Caulfield Cup.

Advertisement
Kiwi trainer Murray Baker says Bonneval scans have come back all clear Photo: Darryl Sherer

"Apparently she was as good as gold (in the scans) and there were no abnormalities," Baker said, after McEvoy had worked Bonneval again at Flemington on Thursday morning.

"I am a little bit surprised as to all the attention as if she was sore we wouldn't persevere with her.

"When you pull a horse straight out of the box and its been standing there for seven hours, obviously it's stiff for a start. That's why they have warm ups for."

Baker is convinced the mare, the drifting $8.50 third 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.

However she will still have to pass an RV vet inspection later on Thursday before being given the green light to line up in the Caulfield Cup.

Bonneval and Baker's other Caulfield Cup contender Jon Snow both worked on the dirt over 1400m at Flemington on Thursday morning.

McEvoy said Bonneval was sound in her action and is expecting her to run well on Saturday.

"She seems free as a bell in my opinion and was happy coming off the track," McEvoy said.

"I've been happy with her, I had a canter on her yesterday and then this morning I just did some nice striding work.

"I'd be surprised if she is not right to take her spot in the field."

McEvoy was asked whether RV vets had taken into consideration his opinion when assessing Bonneval.

"I'm not too sure, I haven't been asked," he said.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Best Pinhook Winners – NZB Ready to Run
A record-breaking renewal of the NZB Ready to Run Sale this week produced plenty of pinhook winners for astute investors and they included the highest priced horse sold at the sale this year.
Breeding to Win - G1 CF Orr Stakes
A small but select field of seven runners will line up in the $1million MRC CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Caulfield and a fascinating contest awaits for the first running of this great race in it's new slot on the calendar.
G1 CF Orr Stakes - Two of Them in 2025 - Not All Change is Bad!
Flemington is done and dusted for another year, but Melbourne’s Spring carnival rocks on and programming changes continue, with the relocation of the MRC's time honoured G1 CF Orr Stakes from its traditional February slot.
Charlotte's Web - Magic Millions Digital Makes New Appointment
Magic Millions Digital is excited to announce the appointment of well known industry member Charlotte Geoghegan as the platform's Digital Sales Co-ordinator.
$500,000 Sword of State Colt Stars at Ready to Run
Cambridge Stud's rising stallion star Sword Of State had buyers’ hearts racing in the early stages of New Zealand Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale with a top class colt selling for $500,000.
Max Lees 2YO Classic Sale Mail
The $160,000 Max Lees Classic (900m) is a spring scamper for juveniles at the standalone Newcastle meeting on Saturday that invariably produces a good contest and with 12 runners that are all unraced the Sale Mail and trial form will be the guide.
Vendors Savour NZ Ready to Run Success
The snowballing success of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale has been built on the internationally renowned skills of its vendors, whose efforts were rewarded with outstanding results at Karaka on Wednesday and Thursday.
November Foals? Time to Breed a Winner with Aquis
November breeding reminders, here’s the truth… some of the best are born late.
$3million I Am Invincible Filly Wins for Resolute Racing
John Stewart’s Resolute Racing has been active at yearling sales all over the world in recent years and a high profile acquisition in Australia was $3million Inglis Easter purchase Ernaux, who opened her account at Canterbury on Friday night.
Strong Godolphin draft headlines November (Late) catalogue
A 12-strong Godolphin draft headlined by G2 winner Corniche and an enticing three-in-one package featuring the half sister to four-time G1 winner Hartnell are among the standout entries for the Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.