Bonneval (Image: Race Images)
Murray Baker knows a thing or two about winning Group 1s on Australian soil - he has 20 to his name so far - and is looking to bank a second Caulfield Cup in three editions this spring as he readies Bonneval and Lizzie L'Amour for their first-up runs on Saturday.
Baker's mares both stepped out at The Valley on Tuesday in preparation for the Group 2 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), as they both are being aimed towards the $3.15million BMW Caulfield Cup.
Of course, Baker won the Cup in 2015 with Mongolian Khan, and has already boosted the broodmare values of both Bonneval and Lizzie L'Amour with Group 1 successes.
Bonneval's lone Australian start saw her claim the ATC Oaks by a lazy 4.5 lengths at Randwick in the autumn, while Lizzie L'Amour's Group 1 debut was a winning one in New Zealand, claiming the Bonecrusher (2000m) in March.
Baker said he expects Lizzie L'Amour to be the better-placed of the pair in the Dato', which offers the winner direct entry into the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
"She [Lizzie L'Amour] trialled up excellently in NZ. She's probably the sharpest of the two at a mile, but they should both benefit a bit from the run," Baker said on Tuesday.
"She's qualified for the Caulfield Cup, and hopefully we'll get her there."
Baker said Bonneval will appreciate the warmer climes of an Australian spring, having endured an NZ winter.
"She's come out of a New Zealand winter, and it's pretty tough," he added.
"We've had the wettest winter for years and years, it's hard on horses.
"Pleased to be over here on some good tracks.
"She should start to improve with some good weather, and change of environment. Should be on the up at this stage [towards the Caulfield Cup].
"She's a staying type and will probably get out-paced a bit [on Saturday] I'd say, unless there's a bit of rain that slows them a bit."