Progressive 4YO ready for open grade Te Rapa test

Late developer Bonnard (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has been in exemplary form this preparation and is in the right order to face the sternest test of his fledgling career at Te Rapa.

The Swiss Ace four-year-old will bid to extend his winning sequence when he makes his open class debut in the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate 22/8 Mile (1600m) on Saturday.

Bonnard is unbeaten in all three appearances since returning from a break, including a last-start course and distance victory, and trainer Shane Crawford can’t fault the gelding.

“To be honest, I think there is more to come from him,” he said.

“He has been a bit of a handful, just a real busy sort of horse, and he’s come good now and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Raced by breeder Gerry Harvey, Bonnard is comfortable rolling along in front and similar tactics are likely to again be employed by in-form apprentice Amber Riddell at the weekend.

“I’ve had a quick look at the field and he looks to be the leader, and I think that’s how it will probably play out,” Crawford said.

However, Bonnard will be equally at ease if he’s required to settle in behind the pace.

“When the day comes that something else wants to lead then he can take a sit, that doesn’t look likely to happen in this race but he’s not just a one trick pony, he’s got a few strings to his bow,” Crawford said.

“He hasn’t had much racing and he’s a nice, sound horse with plenty of good seasons left in him. I think the best is yet to come.”

He has not set a plan post Saturday, but a trip to Riccarton is a possibility.

“How far into the winter we go depends on him really, the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) could be a nice one for him later on, but we’ll just go race by race at this stage,” Crawford said.

He is also expecting another good performance at Te Rapa from La Florida (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the RDA Charity Raceday @ Cambridge Wednesday (1400m).

Another Harvey representative by Swiss Ace, she was a last-start third at Tauranga and will also be guided from a wide alley (19) by Riddell.

“We haven’t fared too well with the draw, but she’ll probably still run and is a nice mare that has been doing a little bit wrong in her races,” Crawford said.

“As soon as we can iron that out, she’ll be winning for sure. Even though she’s a four-year-old, she’s still a bit babyish in her ways.”

The stable will also have runners on Sunday at Matamata where Crawford has high hopes for Telperion filly Hollaback Girl (NZ) (Telperion) in the Carrfields Maiden (1400m).

Ace Lawson-Carroll will don the Harvey silks on the three-year-old who has placed once from three outings and has improved with her unplaced resuming run at Tauranga.

“She’s drawn a wide gate (17) as well, but I don’t think she’ll be too far away,” Crawford said.