Punters waited until the final event on the card at Doomben on Saturday to unleash a spectacular betting plunge and came away with the cash as Bjorn Baker's four-year-old mare Bonny O'Reilly earned a maiden stakes win in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m).
The daughter of O'Reilly made it five wins on the trot with a dominant performance under Jason Collet, defeating Selita (Shaft) by one and a quarter lengths with Palazzo Pubblico (Conatus) a neck back in third.
It advances the record of Bonny O'Reilly to 7 wins and 1 second from 9 starts with earnings of $289,175.
Next week's $1.5 million Group I Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) is still under consideration for Bonny O'Reilly if she makes the final cut.
"We're very hopeful she'll get a penalty," stable foreman Jack Bruce said.
"The way she put them away today with something up her sleeve. If she comes through in good order we'll be there.
"When she quickens it's something special to watch. Hopefully, she can step up to the big time next week.
"She's improved so much this preparation that if she gets a run it's hard to pass up."
From one of Waikato Stud's very best families, Bonny O'Reilly (pictured as a yearling) was a $100,000 purchase by Bjorn Baker Racing/Michael Wallace at the 2014 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.
She is the third foal of the winning Pins mare Pretty, a half-sister to Group I AJC Doncaster Hcp and STC George Ryder Stakes winner Vision And Power (Carnegie), Group I VRC Salinger Stakes and SAJC Goodwood Hcp winner Glamour Puss (Tale Of The Cat), Group II Stan Fox Stakes winner Rare Insight (O'Reilly) (the dam of Group I Coolmore Classic winner Steps In Time), and the multiple Listed winner Escadaire (O'Reilly).
Pretty has an unraced 2yo filly by Ocean Park named Pretty To Sea and a weanling filly by the same stallion. She was bred back to Savabeel last spring.
Bonny O'Reilly becomes the 87th stakes winner for Waikato Stud's deceased stallion O'Reilly whose final crop of yearlings sells this year.
