Bonneval has given her rivals a lesson in how to stay the distance with a runaway win in the $1 million ATC Australian Oaks.
Favourite to add the Randwick Group One to her win in the New Zealand Oaks last month, Bonneval came from the second half of the field in a truly run race.
Hugh Bowman made his bid on Bonneval at the 600m and the filly improved her position to be third at the 300m.
She soon had the leaders in her sights before drawing clear for a decisive win.
Perfect Rhyme and the VRC Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit filled the placings.
“It was a funny race. I had to make a few decisions because I thought I would be (in the) first four,” Bowman said.
Bonneval is prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, the training partnership which claimed last week’s ATC Australian Derby with Jon Snow.
SYDNEY, April 8 AAP