Talented four year-old Bon Hoffa entire Bon Aurum (images Grant Courtney) showed his class when winning the Group III MRC Caulfield Guineas Prelude last year and 12 months to the day returned to the same venue to win the prestigious 1400 metre sprint.
A dominant last start winner in a Listed race at Flemington, the Ciaron Maher trained
Bon Aurum was always well fancied with a light weight, good barrier and Kerrin
McEvoy to ride.Bon Aurum was positioned just off the pace throughout the early stages and then produced on the outside of the field when rounding the home turn.
In much the same fashion of his previous success, he made light work of improving his position on entering the straight before going on to salute by close to half-a-length over the fast finishing Voodoo Lad.
McEvoy observed after the win: "He was always going to make a nice four-year-old and he’s shown that all prep. We had some cover behind Counterattack, who I thought was the one to beat, [and] with 52kg on his back he was full of running when I asked him.”
Bon Aurum became the first Group I winner for Bon Hoffa, winner of the same event in 2007 and runner-up the following year.
Their names are now on an honour roll that includes the celebrated sires Exceed And Excel, Encosta de Lago and Testa Rossa, as well as the likes of Canny Lad and the great Manikato before them.
Bred by Ken King and retained to syndicate and race with partners, Bon Aurum is
now the winner of five races — four at black-type level. His latest success took his earnings to a figure in excess of $586,000, becoming the second son of Bon Hoffa to amass over half a million dollars in prizemoney following the dual Magic Millions winner Deiheros ($751,797).
Bon Aurum is the best of four winners from minor winner Goldsmobile, who has not produced a foal since 2013.
Bon Hoffa stands at the value fee of $4,400 and stands at Bowness Stud where he covered 117 mares last year.
