Rupert Clarke Stakes now for Sofitel winner Bon Aurum

Trainer Ciaron Maher will consider stepping Bon Aurum up to Group 1 company following his win in the Listed $120,000 The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington today.

Bon Aurum returned to the winner's stall in The Sofitel at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Bon Aurum returned to the winner’s stall in The Sofitel at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Bon Aurum has been out of the winner’s stall for almost twelve months before today’s win and now that he has found winning form again Maher intends to step him up in class to the Group 1 $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24.

Maher said that is was good to see Bon Aurum back to some winning form following a below par campaign in the Autumn.

“It was a great effort. He was a bit out of form last prep and this prep we sent him down to Warrnambool and they have done a great job with him down there,” Maher said.

“He sort of put the writing on the wall last start. We dropped him back in class and now we have stepped him up again.”

“You could really see in his coat that he had come on.”

“He had a chip removed from a knee following his Spring three year old campaign and he just struggled to find his form and off a good break and a nice preparation he is back to his best now.”

Maher expects Bon Aurum to take more benefit from today’s run and be competitive in harder races.

“We will keep raising the bar so if he shows us at home that he is still on the up which he should be we might have a look at the Rupert Clarke or something like that for him.”

Winning jockey Craig Williams had Bon Aurum ($5) striding freely outside runners from a wide gate and the four year old went to the line strongly to beat Ulmann ($4.60) and Hi World ($11).

“Craig rode him perfect. He is a horse that likes to stride into the race and cover a bit of ground and use his action,” Maher said.

Favourite Tashbeeh ($4) raced on the pace but faded in the straight to finish in fourth spot.

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.