Bons Away on trial for G1 Moir in McEwen

Bons Away will be out to stamp his claims for a Group One assignment when he races at The Valley.

Consistent sprinter Bons Away will be out to enhance his Moir Stakes prospects when he returns to The Valley for the weight-for-age McEwen Stakes.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Bons Away turned in an eye-catching first-up run in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at The Valley a couple of weeks ago, charging late to finish a close second to Assertive Approach after being slow away and held up slightly on the home turn.

Another strong showing on Saturday in the Group Two McEwen (1000m) would set Bons Away up to chase a Group One win over the same course and distance later this month in the Moir Stakes.

“If he won on Saturday he would probably go to the Moir,” Maher said.

“He is going super.

“You look at his last sectionals, they’re pretty slick.

“He has trained on nicely and he will only come on, I think.”

Bons Away will be chasing his first win at Group level and is sharing early favouritism for the McEwen with Eduardo.

Now a six-year-old, Bons Away has six wins and nine placings from his 26 starts with his biggest victories to date coming in two Listed races.

He has finished a close fourth and fifth, respectively, in the past two Group One Oakleigh Plates at Caulfield and has also placed three times at Group Two level.

Maher believes the sprinter continues to improve.

“I’ve always said he would be at his best when he’s seven and so far he’s on track for that,” Maher said.

“He just seems to get a bit stronger each preparation.”