Filly of the Year Bonneval (NZ) Reigns Supreme in New Zealand Oaks

After only collecting her first points in late January, Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) was crowned the 2016-17 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year when she won the $300,000 Group 1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained filly began her rise with a placing in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in late January. Since then she has put together successive victories in the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Trentham, the Group 3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings and a crowning glory in Saturday’s New Zealand Oaks.

Ridden by Matt Cameron, Bonneval got a long way back early and had just three horses behind her in a strung-out 16-horse field as they turned into the back of the track.

The hot favourite began to advance as the pace eased down the back of the track, and Cameron decided at about the 600-metre mark that it was time to go. The $2.80 favourite swooped around the outside and surged to the lead.

Bonneval faced formidable resistance in the straight from Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma), and the two fought a stirring battle down the straight before Bonneval edged away to win by half a length.

“She’s a beautiful filly,” Forsman said. “She was a standout when Murray and the guys bought her at the sales and she’s gone on with it.

“She got a long way back today but they were going quick enough early on. Matt got her rolling and rode her like the best filly in the race.

“She doesn’t necessarily need to do any more this preparation, we’ll just get her home and see how she is. She’s only going to get better as an older mare.”

Bred by City Bloodstock, Bonneval was purchased by Baker Racing for $150,000 at the 2015 Premier Sale. She is a full-sister to the Group winner Imposing Lass (NZ) (Makfi) and a half-sister to the Group winners Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur) and Lady Cumquat (Duke Of Marmalade).

Raced by Terry Jarvis, Alister Lawrence and John Rattray, Bonneval has now had seven starts for four wins, one placing and $301,500 in prize-money.

Bonneval earned another 12 Filly of the Year Series points for Saturday’s Oaks win, finishing with an imposing tally of 27.5 points. Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) finishes second with 14, just ahead of the Oaks runner-up Devise with 13.5.