Bonham lands proves too strong in the Levin Classic.
Little Avondale resident Per Incanto (Street Cry) was handed his fourth Group 1 winner on Saturday as his daughter Bonham (3 f ex Fortune's Choice by Redoute's Choice) took out the Levin Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) at Trentham.
The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained filly earned her victory the hard way as she sat three-wide for the majority of the race after starting from an outside barrier.
Taken forward by rider Lisa Allpress to challenge for the lead rounding the home bend, Bonham kicked clear early in the straight, beating Brando (Savabeel) by a long-neck, while Wild Moose (Nadeem) was another two and a quarter lengths away in third.
Coming into the race the filly had only been beaten once in her five start career, when finishing seventh in the New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) and Benner admitted he had his concerns during the race, but trusted in the ability of both horse and rider to get the job done.
"She's good and she had to be today," Benner said.
"Lisa tried to ride her positively with cover, but she lost that and had to go forward at the 700 metres.
"She (Bonham) always seemed comfortable in herself and now you can call her a Group 1 winning filly, although that's a feeling you never get used to.
"She does things that only Group 1 horses can do, and is a great walking filly with a beautiful action.
"Gary (Harding) has been great to us and this will mean a lot to him.
"We're pinching ourselves with how well things are going at the moment. We have great staff at home, so I'm just the pretty face on days like today, well that's what I tell myself anyway!"
Bred by Little Avondale Stud, Bonham was purchased for NZ$160,000 by Gary Harding at Book 1 of the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale and she is out of placed Redoute's Choice (Danehill) mare Fortune's Choice.
Fortune's Choice is herself a daughter of Listed-winning and Group 1 placed Galileo (Sadler's Wells) mare Banc De Fortune, who herself produced fellow stakes winner Eagle Island (Fastnet Rock).
Banc De Fortune is out dual Group 1 winner Danendri (Danehill), who produced Group 3 winner Zingam (Zabeel), further back this is the same family as dual Group 1 winner Faint Perfume (Shamardal) and Group 3-winning Chains Of Honour (Redoute's Choice) and Roy Had Enough (Pierro).
Fortune Choice's colt by Brazen Beau (I Am Invincible) - now named Matao Ma - was purchased by Mick Price for $220,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, while her colt by Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) will be offered by Sledmere Stud as Lot 617 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
