Bonita Aurelia takes out Taranaki 2YO Classic.
Novara Park-based stallion Sweynesse (Lonhro) was handed his first winner and premier stakes winner when bargain filly Bonita Aurelia (2 ex Cassie May by Red Clubs) landed the Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr 3, 1200m) at Plymouth on Saturday.
Having finished fifth on debut, Bonita Aurelia broke through for her maiden victory when she surged clear to beat Piaggio (Vespa) by a quarter of a length.
Co-trainer Murray Baker admitted the stable held the filly in high regard and had been happy to wait to get her back to the races after her first run.
"She's been a promising filly right through although she didn't line-up in the gates at Waikato," Baker said.
"We've had to blindfold her and play around but the funny thing is she might be the quietest horse we've got.
"We thought she was a big chance today."
Purchased for a mere NZ$500 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka May, the filly is out of three-time winner and Listed-placed Cassie May (Red Clubs), whose other two runners have also been winners. In winning the Group 3 on Saturday Bonita Aurelia becomes the first black-type scorer in the family for three generations and the win added NZ$43,750 to her prize-money earnings. Her fourth dam however is Sudden (Boucher), dam of triple Group 1 winner Burst (Marauding).
Sweynesse had three yearlings sell for an aggregate of NZ$210,000 during Book 1 of last week's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka 2020 sale.
