Bonny O’Reilly 2nd emergency for Stradbroke Handicap, runs in Dane Ripper

Highly rated mare Bonny O’Reilly has failed to make the field for the Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) but will still step out at Doomben on Saturday.

Bonny O'Reilly, above, will take her place in the Dane Ripper Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Bonny O’Reilly, above, will take her place in the Dane Ripper Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Bonny O’Reilly was made the second of five emergencies for the Stradbroke Handicap and trainer Bjorn Baker said that if she doesn’t gain a late call up on race morning to run in the Winter Racing Carnival’s premier sprint, the O’Reilly mare will take her place against the fillies and mares in the Group 2 $200,000 Bundaberg Rum Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m).

Baker has reported that Bonny O’Reilly has pulled up well after scoring an impressive win in the Listed $100,000 IPG Marketing Solutions Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben last Saturday and is ready to go around again this week.

“Bonny O’Reilly has pulled up in excellent order from Saturday’s win. Onwards to this weekend,” Baker tweeted.

Baker said that he would love to gain a spot in the final sixteen for the Stradbroke Handicap otherwise she will run in the Dane Ripper Stakes.

“It would be nice to have a crack at the Stradbroke but what will be will be,” Baker said.

“She is obviously a mare in form and her win last Saturday was very encouraging.

“If we don’t get a start in the Stradbroke, she can run in the Dane Ripper.”

Bonny O’Reilly drew barrier six in the Stradbroke Handicap but is very unlikely to gain a start while in the Dane Ripper Stakes the four year old mare will have to overcome a wide gate after drawing barrier sixteen in the original draw and at this stage is positioned at thirteen of fourteen following the early scratchings of Egyptian Symbol, Sylpheed and first emergency All Over Bosanova.

Bonny O’Reilly’s stablemate Egyptian Symbol will run in the Stradbroke Handicap with Glyn Schofield to ride, Sylpheed runs in the Group 2 $350,000 Ascot Green Queensland Guineas (1600m) and All Over Bosanova will run against the three year olds in the Listed $125,000 James Boag’s Premium Daybreak Lover (1200m).

Top Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson replaces Jason Collett on Bonny O’Reilly who is the $4 second favourite for the Dane Ripper Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au behind the well supported Raiment at $3.80.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.