Tough mare Bonaria stormed down the outside of the field to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2014 Myer Classic at Flemington this afternoon.
Bonaria finished over the top of Sweet Idea and Catkins to win the 2014 Myer Classic at Flemington this afternoon. Photo by Sarah Ebbett
Jockey Michael Rodd elected to settle Bonaria at the tail of the field in the early stages of the race and the race was set up to suit the Redoute’s Choice mare after You’re So Good came across and took up the running.
There looked to be six or seven winning chances when the field rounded the final entered the straight and Sweet Idea looked as though she was finally going to record a maiden Group 1 victory, but Bonaria swamped the Snitzel filly in the final 50 metres and was running away from the rest of the field on the line.
The win was Bonaria’s first since she took out the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington earlier this year, but jockey Michael Rodd said that the six-year-old had been performing well without any luck this prep.
Rodd said that his plan was always to settle Bonaria at the tail of the field and he was delighted that she was able to exhibit her excellent turn-of-foot to take out the Myer Classic in impressive fashion.
“She is a horse that has been racing without luck the last few starts and last start at Caulfield I ran up arses and had no room,” Rodd said.
“Today we just went back from a pretty average barrier and that is the best way to ride her.
“She is just so honest and every time she shows up she is in the finish.
“She has a brilliant turn-of-foot and I was able to save her for the last 300 metres and she ripped home.”
Pat Hyland has always had a good opinion and he was clearly over the moon to see the tough mare record her maiden win at Group 1 level in the Myer Classic.
The veteran trainer does not rate Bonaria as the best horse that he has trained, but he revealed that he had never had a horse that tries as hard as the Myer Classic winner and he added he was thrilled to deliver owners Robert and Deb Anderson a Group 1 victory
“She is one of my favourites,” Hyland said.
“I have had some very good fillies and she is very special.
“I’m not sure that she is as good as them, but she tries harder than other horse that I have ever had.
“I had a long discussion with Michael about that and she has drawn a good alley a couple of times, but she has got into trouble on the inside so I said to him today ‘look mate just get back and enjoy the ride and win it from the turn home’.
“It is so fantastic for Robert and Deb Anderson who have been with me for many, many years and it is their first Group 1.
“It is something very special because they are great friends of ours.”
The Myer Classic win was Hyland’s first win at the highest level of racing since Zarita took out the 2008 edition of the Australasian Oaks (2000m).
