A mare usually better suited to autumn racing, today the spring was Bonaria’s time to shine with the Pat Hyland-trained six-year-old thrashing a field of classy rivals in the Myer Classic 2014 on Victoria Derby Day.

Bonaria scores an upset win in the 2014 Myer Classic on Victoria Derby Day. Photo: Sara Ebbett.

The daughter of Redoute’s Choice had been well beaten in two luckless lead-up runs including a seventh behind Star Fashion on October 15 in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m).

She made up good late ground after getting caught back that day from a smart barrier, so instructions to jockey Michael Rodd for the $500,000 Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) were to ride her quiet from her outside barrier 16 (into 13) draw.

It proved the winning tactics with Bonaria ($31) sitting out the back waiting for the hot speed to drop off before her barnstorming finish.

She was far too strong for them in the closing stages, causing an upset Myer Classic result over the Gai Waterhouse-trained Sweet Idea ($6.50) and last year’s runner-up Catkins ($7.50) for the on-fire Chris Waller finishing one worse in third this year.

“She’s a horse that has been racing without luck her last few starts,” Rodd said after the Myer Classic win.

“Today we just went back form a pretty average barrier and that’s the way to ride her.

“She’s just so honest. Every time she shows up she’s in the top four in the finish.

“She’s got a brilliant turn of foot. She ripped home.”

Last start Tristarc Stakes winner Sweet Idea was away well getting a nice trail just off the pace set by the Nigel Blackiston-trained local You’re So Good who crossed from out wide to race up front.

She set a hot speed leading from Girl Guide and Forever Loved with Sweet Idea getting a great run on the rails after settling into fourth just ahead of Catkins and Waterhouse’s other runner Diamond Drille racing sixth on the inside.

Coming into the turn the top two held their position up until 400m when the challengers started their runs.

It was Bonaria from the back however absolutely flying home to win from the two better fancied rivals, swamping them late to hand Rodd his third Myer Classic win following his previous victories with Divine Madonna (2007) and 40/1 outsider Appearance (2012) two years ago.

Hyland was absolutely thrilled with the win that boosted Bonaria’s prize money up to nearly $1 million, a massive effort for the Anderson family connections who Hyland has been associated with for a long time.

“She is one of my favourites,” he said of the mare.

“I’ve had some very good fillies but she’s very special.

“Not that she’s probably as good as them, but she tries harder than any horse I’ve had.

“So fantastic…it’s their (the connections’) first Group 1 so it’s something very special.”

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2014 Myer Classic Results & Finishing Order

Flemington Race 8 – 01/11/2014