Blazer Stakes The Right Race For Bonaria

Trainer Pat Hyland is happy with the condition of Bonaria and believes that the 2014 Blazer Stakes at Flemington on Saturday is the right race for the quality mare.

Bonaria will be chasing another black type victory in the 2014 Blazer Stakes at Flemington tomorrow.

Bonaria will be chasing another black type victory in the 2014 Blazer Stakes at Flemington tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Bonaria started her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a sixth place finish in the Australian Defense Force Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on August 16 and was eighth in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on August 30 before she returned to her best form with a close fourth behind Commanding Jewel in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 13.

Hyland told Racing Ahead that he believes Bonaria should have finished in the placings in the Let’s Elope Stakes, but said that she had taken plenty of benefit out of the run and is heading into the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) at peak condition.

“She has done very well and she has had a nice gap now between her last run and this one,” Hyland said.

“This will be her race on Saturday and I think this will be the best she’ll be because she appreciates a bit of time between runs.

“I am looking forward to it.

“Her last run was very, very good I thought; she probably should have run one slot closer, but she drew a bad barrier and didn’t get all the luck in the race.

“We have a drawn a good alley on Saturday and I am pretty gung ho about her.”

Bonaria has produced some of the best performances of her career at Flemington, including a second place finish behind Mosheen in the 2012 edition of the Blazer Stakes, and Hyland believes that the long Flemington straight is ideal for the Redoute’s Choice mare.

The six-year-old has shown plenty of tactical versatility drawing her racing career to date, but Hyland said that he expects jockey Michael Rodd to settle the tough mare close to the speed when she jumps from barrier two.

“She has raced very well at Flemington,” Hyland said.

“That is the good part about Flemington and drawing well because she can get cover and doesn’t have to be back as far as she does on those other tracks.

“She can probably sit on top of the pace in this race.

“It will would be lovely to go into the Myer Classic with a win under her belt, but we can only hope for the best.”

Bonaria is currently available at Blazer Stakes odds of $6.50 and is on the second line of betting behind Suavito ($5.50).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.