Bjorn Baker seeks Bonny return for mare

Bonny O’Reilly has bounced back from her unsuccessful Group One test in the Tatt’s Tiara, but still has a hard act to follow when trainer Bjorn Baker ushers the quality mare back into action at Rosehill.

Although the five-year-old finished second-last in her Group One debut at Doomben in June, the remainder of the preparation was memorable for the Warwick Farm-based Baker.

Three successive wins, including her first Brisbane run in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes, extended her winning streak to five.

She was then far from disgraced when third behind Prompt Response and My True Love in the Group Two Dane Ripper, a fortnight before she was trapped wide throughout in the Tatt’s Tiara.

Bonny O’Reilly switched back into race mode on August 1 with a barrier trial before another tune-up two weeks later to set her up for Saturday’s FIIG Handicap (1200m).

“I’m really happy with her. She’s definitely come back stronger from Queensland,” Baker said.

Providing she handles 59.5kg, the heaviest weight she has been asked to carry so far, Bonny O’Reilly will likely return to Rosehill for the Group Three Sheraco Stakes on September 9.

“We’ve also got the (Group Two) Golden Pendant two weeks after that,” Baker said.

Baker had a slight concern over the weight but drawing barrier one in the Benchmark 95 was a plus.

“She’ll get a gun run just off the speed. I think she’ll be very competitive,” Baker said.

Baker also has Sir Plush in the race seeking to improve on an eighth first-up in a Benchmark 94 (1100m) on August 12 when he was trapped wide.