Cover image by Peter Rubery courtesy of Race Images
Written by Paul Vettise
Bonham (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) had little go her way in her first crack at top age group company and her fortunes came full circle when victorious in the G1 Levin Classic at Trentham.
The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained Bonham was unbeaten in her first two appearances before she headed south in the spring for the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, but was unplaced off a wide run.
Undeterred, her connections gave the filly a break before plotting a course to the Devan Plastics-sponsored feature at Trentham and a winning lead-up at Awapuni had her ready to deliver and she did that in style.
“She’s good and she had to be today. She had cover and then lost and had to make a sustained run from the 700 and she was comfortable with doing that,” Benner said.
The Gary Harding-owned Bonham was caught wide in midfield before rider Lisa Allpress decided to go forward and slotted in closer to the fence in fourth spot.
“I wasn’t having a lot of luck three deep and I could hear Johno and Hollie in my head so I just trusted my horse,” Allpress said.
“I did the sectionals on every horse before the race and her and Brando were very similar. I knew he would have to be good to come from the back and beat me.
“I’ve nearly lost my voice screaming at her because she doesn’t need to be hit too much, you just need to push her out. This is very special.”
“I’ve nearly lost my voice screaming at her because she doesn’t need to be hit too much, you just need to push her out.” – Lisa Allpress
Bonham charged to the front 250 metres from home and held a strong gallop to have 0.3l on the hot favourite Brando (NZ) (Savabeel), who copped a couple of bumps at the top of the straight and lost a plate and finished off strongly with Wild Moose (NZ) (Nadeem) third.
“She does things that only Group 1 horses can do. She’s a good-walking filly with a beautiful action and it’s a great result for Gary and us. He’s got 10 in the stable and without good owners and good horses you can’t do it,” Benner said.
Bonham (NZ) (white silks) | Image by Peter Rubery courtesy of Race Images
He also paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes-efforts of his staff and partner Wynyard.
“We’ve got an amazing team and you have to pinch yourself sometimes at how well it’s going. I’d be nothing without Hollie, it’s a huge system,” Benner said.
“I’m just the pretty face, at least I tell myself I am, and this is why we do it when the alarm goes off at 4am.”
“I’m just the pretty face, at least I tell myself I am, and this is why we do it when the alarm goes off at 4am.” – Johno Benner
Benner will let the dust settle before deciding Bonham’s future program and whether she returns to Trentham in the autumn for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks on March 20.
“She had three weeks off after Riccarton and is a potential Oaks filly. We’re not going to panic and she’s got the Group 1 now and they can never take it away from her,” he said.
Bonham (NZ) as a yearling
Bonham was bred by Little Avondale Stud and bought out of the Masterton farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock National yearling Sale draft by Harding for NZ$160,000.
She is the first to the races for the Redoute’s Choice mare Fortune’s Choice, who is a half-sister to the Listed Oaklands Plate winner Eagle Island (Fastnet Rock).
She is a daughter of the Listed Aspiration H. and G1 Arrowfield Stud S. runner-up Banc De Fortune (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to the dam of the three-time Group 1 winner Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}).
