Bon Aurum more than stamped himself as one to watch through the recent Spring Carnival, and trainer Ciaron Maher has revealed the three-year-old will be set on a path towards the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) upon resuming in autumn.
Bon Aurum will be set for the Group 1 Australian Guineas upon resuming in 2016. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Bon Aurum has been a strong and largely consistent performer for Maher since first appearing on course competitively in late June; posting a commendable three race wins and two minors through only seven career starts.
Having returned to the paddock after failing to produce much of a final straight sprint and ninth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10th, Maher told Racing.com the Bon Hoffa colt has returned to light duties ahead of his 2016 Australian Guineas campaign.
“He had a little operation because he had a little chip on the knee,” Maher said.
“He’s back in training at Warrnambool just swimming and water walking at the moment.
“His toughness is probably his best asset so we’ll just see how he comes up but the Australian Guineas is probably a target for him.
“If that comes around a bit quick we might just take stock and head towards the spring again.”
Bon Aurum debuted to racing for a credible fourth in an Ecucha maiden race over 1200m on June 29th; progressing to a win in the Geelong Cup Bookings Now Open Maiden Plate (1200m) a fortnight later.
Running third in the Elizabeth Dunkley & Jason Lee Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on August 8th, Bon Aurum was unlucky to be hampered early in a Sandown minor over 1200m a fortnight later but responded in the best way possible when making a successful transition to black type company with success in the Listed Pin & Win Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 12th.
Repeating the dose in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) in his only other start prior to his major target on September 26th, Bon Aurum will likely begin his 2016 campaign in a race like the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in early February.
Bon Aurum is currently rated a $21 chance for success in early 2016 Australian Guineas betting markets.
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