Bonham Tips out Favourite in Levin Classic

Talented sophomore Bonham showed she is a filly of the highest quality when winning the Gr1 Devan Plastics Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Rated as the main danger to $1.80 favourite Brando, NZ Racing Desk reports the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained filly earned her victory the hard way by sitting three-wide for the majority of the race after starting from an outside barrier. Taken forward by rider Lisa Allpress to challenge for the lead rounding the home bend, Bonham kicked clear early in the straight before holding out the late charge of Brando to capture her fourth win from just five starts for owner Gary Harding. "She's good and she had to be today," Benner reflected. "She (Bonham) always seemed comfortable in herself and now you can call her a Group 1-winning filly, although that's a feeling you never get used to. She does things that only Group 1 horses can do, and is a great walking filly with a beautiful action. Allpress explained, "I thought I need to trust my horse as she was fit and ready for today and a very fast mare, so I knew they would have trouble coming from behind her. I think I've lost my voice from screaming at her as she doesn't need the whip, she just needs a push to get her over the line. Bred by Little Avondale Stud, Bonham was purchased for $160,000 by Harding during the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Yearling sale. Out of the Redoute's Choice mare Fortune's Choice, Bonham is the fourth individual Group 1 winner for her sire Per Incanto.

Bonham is now a Group winner (pic: Race Images)