Luck has never seemed be on the side of talented mare Bonny Lass, but co-trainer Graham Richardson is hoping her time in the spotlight nears after a standout performance at the Taupo trials on Wednesday.
The lightly-raced five-year-old showed promise early in claiming her first Group victory as a juvenile, however, she has appeared just 15 times on raceday after a raft of incidents hindered her preparations, particularly over the past 12 months.
“She’s had a lot of mishaps and bad luck over the last year, it’s incredible how much bad luck she’s had,” Richardson said.
“She got hurt on the truck with her foot on the way to Te Rapa for the Railway (Group 1, 1200m) last year and had to be late scratched.
“Then, the next time she went to the races she stood on her plate around at the barriers which was nothing to do with her first issue, and was a late scratching there as well.”
Bonny Lass completed a muddled campaign last season finishing midfield in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) but resumed smartly in September when flashing home late under the 60.5kg topweight behind Johny Johny.
Looking an ominous chance to defend her title in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m), the daughter of Super Easy sustained an untimely injury derailing those plans.
“About six weeks ago she had to get nine stitches in her leg after injuring herself in the box and we have no idea how,” Richardson said.
“She’s the quietest thing in the world, we’ve just had no luck with her.”
Accompanied by Richardson’s training partner Rogan Norvall, Bonny Lass travelled to Taupo to contest an Open 1000m trial, in favour of Saturday’s Group 3 Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe.
Leading from the outset under Ace Lawson-Carroll, the mare was never placed under pressure and travelled strongly to the line to score a dominant 2-3/4 length victory.
“It was very impressive,” Richardson said.
“I’ve spoken to Rogan as I’m at the sales, and she’s pulled up really well, she’s had a good blow and she’ll improve so much more from that.
“We sent her to the trials today because she was on the back foot a bit fitness wise, hence why she’s not in on Saturday (at Pukekohe). She’s just not quite ready to go to the races and she would get a lot of weight.”
The Matamata horseman is looking forward to getting the mare back on course, targeting the Open Handicap 1200m at Pukekohe on December 9, before looking to resolve unfinished business in the Group 1 Railway Handicap (1200m) on New Year’s Day.
“I put Ace on her at the trials looking towards him probably riding her on the 9th of December, then hopefully Craig Grylls will ride her in the Railway,” he said.
In-form four-year-old Channel Surfer will represent the stable at Pukekohe on Saturday, hoping to claim a third win from four starts this season in the Championship Qualifier (1400m).
The son of Derryn recorded back-to-back victories in maiden and MAAT company early in his campaign, before a sharp third placing behind Adam I Am at Hastings with Joe Doyle on board, who retains the ride.
“He’s drawn 10 which is okay, he’s a pretty handy horse,” Richardson said.
“He’ll be nominated for the Karaka 4YO race ($1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic, 1600m) which is the direction we’re taking, and we might throw in a nomination for the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).”
Prior to the weekend’s action, Richardson attended the Wednesday session of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, where he and Graham Wiggins were pleased to secure Lot 38, a Super Seth filly.
A close relation to Group Two-winning sprinter Packing Rockstar, the pair went to $65,000 to purchase the filly out of Lilywhites Lodge’s draft.
“Graham Wiggins and I will be syndicating her. She’s a very athletic filly,” Richardson said.
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