Racing: Victorian stewards want another look at Bonneval

Part-owner John Rattray (right) with Bonneval after the Underwood Stakes. Photo / NZ Racing Desk

Leading Caulfield Cup contender Bonneval will face a Racing Victoria veterinary inspection two days out from the A$3 million race.

Chief steward Terry Bailey told co-trainer Murray Baker that veterinarians would inspect the Kiwi mare this afternoon and confer with the stable after RV vets initially declared her lame after the Caulfield Stakes.

Weve said all week we were going to have a look at her, Bailey said.

It was convenient for our vets to have a look at it this afternoon at Flemington. Our vets say she is one out of five [lame]. They are going to confer with their stable vets and have another look at her [this] afternoon.

Baker, who won the 2015 Caulfield Cup with Mongolian Khan, believes there is no issue with the mare.

As far as he [Baker] is concerned, whatever variance in her action is, thats her. Thats why we want to talk to his vets.

Bonneval won the ATC Australian and New Zealand Oaks last season and started her spring campaign with wins in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes and Group One Underwood Stakes in Melbourne.

She ran on from back in the field for sixth in last Saturdays Caulfield Stakes. A stewards report after Saturdays race said the mare was lame in the near-foreleg and had a laceration to her off-hind pastern.

The lameness issue aside, Bonnevals owners are enjoying the thrill of a lifetime with their multiple Group One winner.

Weve had approaches to purchase her, one after she won the Oaks in Sydney and then after she won the Underwood, said John Rattray, who races her with Alastair Lawrence and Terry Jarvis.

It was certainly an awful lot of money, but we just decided were enjoying the ride too much and come what may we decided we want to hang on to her.

Shes obviously got strong residual value as a broodmare and none of us are spring chickens any more. She won six Group races in a row - you just cant buy the sort of fun were having.

A daughter of Makfi, Bonneval was signed for by Baker for $150,000 at Karaka in 2015.

Whatever happens on Saturday - win, lose or draw - its been fantastic, he said. Were very blessed to have her, shes quite the marvel.

- AAP, NZ Racing Desk