Beers for Baker as Bonneval cleared for Caulfield Cup

Ben Dorries - Thursday October 19

Relieved Murray Baker was off to have a beer after Bonneval was cleared to run in Saturday's Caulfield Cup, ending five days of speculation on whether the Kiwi mare would start in the rich race.

Advertisement
Murray Baker was keen to have a beer (or several) after Bonneval was cleared to run in the Caulfield Cup

Baker felt the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders late on Thursday and also felt justified as he had insisted for several days there was nothing wrong with his mare.

"I'm relieved it's all OK, now I can go and have a beer and that's what I'll be doing," Baker said.

Bonneval was inspected by two Racing Victoria vets on Thursday afternoon who cleared her to run in Saturday's Caulfield Cup, a day after RV vets had found she was "one out of five lame".

RV chairman of stewards Terry Bailey was also at the Thursday afternoon inspection of Bonneval, with the mare trotting up to the satisfaction of the vets.

"Two of our vets looked at her and we also got his (Baker's) vet to do scans of the front leg," Bailey said.

"Those scans showed nothing of concern and she trotted up OK.

"She has been passed to race in the Caulfield Cup."

Baker had always been convinced the mare had been 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 last Saturday's Group I Caulfield Stakes.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy also insisted the mare was sound in her action when he galloped her on the dirt at Flemington early on Thursday morning.

Bonneval has drifted to as much as $9.50 with some bookmakers in Caulfield Cup betting.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.