By Mac Henry
Father Dan Cummings said the first indication he had that Bonnie Joan possessed the raw materials to help her develop into a nice stayer came when he trained and drove the then two year old to win and qualify on the grass track at Balfour in December 2015.
Fast forward to Ascot Park on Sunday and a 2700 metre New Zealand record greeted the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Wave Runner after her all the way win in the $45,000 group two Nevele R Stud/Macca Lodge Southland Oaks.
Her time of 3:17.1 reduced the previous best for a three year old filly over the journey from a mobile start of 3:17.9, recorded by Picadilly Princess at Alexandra Park in March last year. It was Bonnie Joan’s second National record in successive starts, following the 2:00.2 she recorded for the mobile 1700 metres at Forbury Park on 13 April.
Bonnie Joan is owned by the Tuapeka Lodge syndicate comprising her three breeders, Father Cummings, his brother Peter and sister Julie Davie, and named after their late mother Joan, who died about 40 years ago. Following her trial win at Balfour, the filly transferred to Canterbury trainer Cran Dalgety. She has now won seven of her 11 starts and her qualities continue to be impress Father Cummings.
“Her gate speed and getting to the front without effort, and her high cruising speed,” he said.
Father Cummings said Bonnie Joan is probably the best filly they have raced in their own name, qualifying her for the best races for three year old fillies has been a positive, and winning the first of them a bonus. The Nevele R Fillies Series Final, New Zealand Oaks and Jewels now await her.
Bonnie Joan was driven by Dexter Dunn to give him record wins in both the day’s features. Two races earlier, Dunn had been aboard Eamon Maguire when he took out the $45,000 group two Alabar Southland Supremacy Stakes, equalling the Southland 2700 metre record for three year old colts and geldings of 3:19.1, set by Highview Tommy in the 2009 Supremacy.
While there is nothing new about two features in a day for Dunn, Eamon Maguire’s win was breaking new ground for his Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson. Records show the first group-race winner he trained was True Macatross in the group three Timaru Challenge Stakes in January 1990 and the second, Belkmyster in the 2015 group three Rangiora Classic. Eamon Maguire was the third.
The success also rewarded the initiative of Anderson, who along with Wendy Muldrew, went to $34,000 to purchase Eamon Maguire at the 2015 Christchurch premier yearling sale. Anderson has retained a share in Eamon Maguire and races him with Brian Sceats, Ray Chalklin, Stephen Pulley, Tony Gow and Pauline Gillan.
The son of Art Major has raced just 12 times and never finished further back than third. His record stands at eight wins two seconds and two thirds, one of those thirds coming in the group one New Zealand Derby three weeks ago at his previous start.
Eamon Maguire went from the outside of the second line, sat back early, got a cart up to sit parked from the bell, applied the pressure to leader Major Hippie across the top and careered away to score by four and a half lengths. Anderson in not sure when the gelding will race next but has the Harness Jewels firmly in his sights.
Ryal Bush trainer and driver Peter Hunter was knocked unconscious after being flung from My Georgie Boy soon after the start of the second last race at Ascot Park on Sunday.
His wife Jo said Peter was in hospital and would be further assessed today but had sustained no broken bones.
The incident occurred after about 200 metres when Louie fell and Dachy was brought down. Malik was badly checked, throwing driver Blair Orange into the path of My Georgie Boy who tripped and catapulted Hunter skywards.
Stewards Liam Tidmarsh and John Muirhead were watching the action from the press box and moved quickly to abandon the race. Hunter was taken from the track by ambulance but the other drivers involved, Orange, Tim Williams and Nathan Williamson took their places in the last of the day and finished first, second and fourth respectively.
Louie, a winner on the track a week earlier, had a fractured front leg and was humanely euthanised.
Tidmarsh said an investigation had been opened into the incident .
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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