Success lives here

At Caulfield in Melbourne, Westbury Stud's three-time Gr1-winning shuttle stallion Makfi (Dubawi-Dhelaal, by Green Desert) celebrated an elite race success when 4YO New Zealand-bred mare Bonneval (Makfi-Imposingly, by Zabeel) confirmed herself as the second best mare in Australasia [behind Winx] when defeating a high quality field in the $750,000 Gr1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) for 3YO+, over Hartnell & Gailo Chop. The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year is now unbeaten in her two starts this campaign and improved her record to 7 wins (including the Gr1 Australian Oaks, Gr1 New Zealand Oaks, Gr2 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes, Gr2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic & Gr3 Hawkes Bay Lowland Stakes) and 1 placing (the Gr3 WRC Desert Gold Stakes) from 10 starts for $1,582,469 in earnings. Co-trainer Murray Baker confirmed Bonneval's primary spring target is the $3.15 million Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. "She's still got a bit of her winter coat to lose yet but we thought she had improved a bit from last start," Baker told racing.com. "She's obviously a very good filly. That's her sixth Group win in a row." Baker continued: "We will give her one more run, possibly the Caulfield Stakes, and then the Caulfield Cup." Jockey Hugh Bowman commented: "She's a genuine Cups contender this mare - I just wish I was light enough to ride her. She has a lovely future ahead of her." Bonneval is now the outright TAB favourite for the Caulfield Cup at $5.50 ahead of Humidor at $6. The well-bred Bonneval is a full sister to Gr3 winner Imposing Lass and a half-sister to Gr3 winners Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur) and Lady Cumquat (Duke Of Marmalade) from the Zabeel mare Imposingly, a three-quarter sister to New Zealand Derby winner St Reims and Gr1 Mackinnon Stakes winner and Melbourne Cup runner-up Champagne (both by Zabeel).