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Murray Baker Relieved Bonneval Given All Clear for Caulfield Cup!

Written on the 20 October 2017

It's been a nail-biting week for trainer Murray Baker after stewards deemed Bonneval unfit to race in the Caulfield Cup after last Saturday's Caulfield Stakes.

But on Thursday afternoon, Racing Victoria stewards gave Bonneval the all clear.

Baker was relieved to say the least after he received the news.

"I'm relieved it's all OK, now I can go and have a beer and that's what I'll be doing," Baker said.

Chief steward Terry Bailey said his team were now satisfied that the mare was sound to race after an earlier report from his head vet claimed the multiple Group1-winning mare was 'one out of five' lame.

"We had two vets check Bonneval on Thursday afternoon and she has been cleared to run," Bailey said.

"She was trotted up at Flemington where she is staying and our vets also inspected scans of her suspensory ligaments that had been provided by Murray Baker's stable vet.

"In our opinion her condition has improved in the past 24 hours and we are satisfield she is fit to start."

Baker had always been convinced Bonneval had been fine to run in the Caulfield Cup despite the 4yo suffering cuts to her offside hind leg and being found to be lame in her near side leg after last Saturday's race.

Jockey, Kerrin McEvoy was also of the opinion that there was nothing wrong with the mare.

"I've been happy with her, I had a canter on her yesterday (Wednesday) and she felt fine and then this morning just did some nice striding work over seven furlongs on the dirt and she seems free as a bell in my opinion," McEvoy said.

"And happy coming off the track, she is bouncing and full of herself and seems really bright, I would be surprised if she is not right to take her spot on Saturday.

"I haven't been asked for my opinion, I'm not a vet, I'm a jockey but the way she feels is fine, she is happy."

Despite her impressive history, Bonneval lost favourite position for the Cup (now sitting at $8.50 with Sportsbet) after finishing sixth in the Caulfield Stakes last Saturday. She jumps from barrier 14 on Saturday.

(Photo: Bonneval - Photo source: racing.com)


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Authorised Representative
(AR 001 272 774) under the TTSC's AFSL (288-213)