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$500 Weanling Becomes First SW for Her Sire!

Media Release - Sunday February 2

Bonita Aurelia (NZ) cost only $500 as a weanling at the 2018 Karaka May Sale, but on Saturday she scored a valuable victory in the $70,000 Group 3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth becoming the first stakes-winner  for her sire Sweynesse, a son of champion sire Lonhro.

$500 purchase Bonita Aurelia is a stakes-winner!

A close fifth on debut at Ellerslie in October, Bonita Aurelia lined up for only the second start of her career in Saturday’s two-year-old feature. Ridden by Danielle Johnson for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, the filly surged relentlessly out of midfield for a long neck victory over fellow Karaka graduate Piaggio (NZ) (Vespa).

Bonita Aurelia has now earned $44,290 in stakes – more than 88 times her purchase price. She is raced by Greg Trestrail in partnership with former Olympian Sonia Waddell.

“She’s been a promising filly right through, although she was late-scratched at Te Rapa when she didn’t go into the gates,” Baker said.

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“We’ve had to blindfold her and play around, but the funny thing is she might be the quietest horse we’ve got. We thought she was a big chance today.”

Runner-up Piaggio was only slightly more expensive at $8,000 in Book 3 of Karaka 2019. He has now earned $24,250.

Vendor Wentwood Grange
Purchaser Mr AG & Mrs CM Trestrail
Breeding Sweynesse – Cassie May
Sale Lot 108, 2018 Karaka May Sale, $500
Bred by The Christopher Investment Trust
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