Murray Baker knew the only way to try and end the winning streak of Volpe
Veloce at Te Rapa was to ensure the Group II Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic was
run at a genuine clip.And the Cambridge horseman's pre-race plan worked to perfection with his representatives Bonneval and Nicoletta dominating the finish of Saturday's Cambridge Stud-sponsored fillies' feature.
"We knew the only way we could beat her was to make it a staying test - Volpe Veloce is an outstanding filly and she'd won seven straight. I can't recall that being done since Sunline," Baker said.
Last-start Group III Desert Gold Stakes winner Nicoletta over-raced early before rider Michael Coleman allowed her to stride to the front. She then settled well and fought tooth and nail to the post.
"She was pulling and he rated her perfectly and she was only beaten on the line," said Baker, whose training partner Andrew Forsman was in Melbourne with the stable star Turn Me Loose.
Bonneval had been set alight by Matt Cameron 700 metres from home and the Makfi (GB) filly was able to sustain a long run to earn a head decision over her barn mate.
"She's a very good filly and both of them will be heading to Trentham for the Oaks," Baker said.
Devise enjoyed a good run behind the pace and she stuck to her task well in the run home to take third money off the commanding favourite Volpe Veloce.
Rider Johnathan Parkes took her back to last from a wide gate before they got an ideal drag into the race behind Bonneval.
Volpe Veloce was in trouble though soon after straightening, but to her credit she stuck on grimly to finish fourth and a little under three lengths off the winner.
The 14th stakes-winner for Makfi, Bonneval is a half-sister to a trio of Group III winning fillies in Imposing Lass, Full of Spirit and Lady Cumquat being one of six winners from Zabeel mare Imposingly, a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group I winners St Reims and Champagne.
Bonneval was a $150,000 NZB Premier purchase from the draft of Westbury Stud for Baker Racing and has won two of five starts.
Below is Lot 163 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from this same family, noted for its star fillies!
