Australian Guineas hope Bon Aurum will be seen for the first time this Autumn when he steps out in the Group 3 $150,000 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Bon Aurum is set to resume in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Bon Aurum showed plenty of potential during the Spring Carnival with wins in the Listed $120,000 Pin & Win Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and in the Group 3 $175,000 BECK Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.
The Ciaron Maher trained colt’s winning run came to an end when he finished ninth to Press Statement in the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
But the three year old was subsequently found to have a bone chip in his knee which required surgery.
Maher has reported that Bon Aurum has recovered from the operation well and is ready to campaign towards a start in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5.
“He’s had a preparation down on the beach at Warrnambool with (trainer) Matthew Williams and he’s looks as though he’s come back in good order,” Maher told racing.com.
“He had a bone chip removed following the spring so we’ve been pretty mindful of his weight and keeping it in check so that we don’t put any more pressure on him than we need to.
“His goal is the Guineas so he’ll take a fair bit of improvement out of his first-up run.”
Bon Aurum took one step closer to his return to the race track with a jump out at Caulfield this morning where he wasn’t extended to run fourth over 800m.
Bon Aurum will be facing a handy field of three year olds in the Manfred Stakes with Gold Symphony, Lizard Island, Ready For Victory, Palentino and Wolf Cry all nominated.
In early Australian Guineas betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, Bon Aurum is listed at $26 with the former Perth trained filly Perfect Reflection, now under the care of premiership trainer Darren Weir, heading the market order at $7.
Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement is on the second line of betting at $8 while the Weir stablemates Mahuta and Palentino share the $9 mark.
