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.

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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.

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