The Cran Dalgety-trained speedster scorched across the wet Forbury Park track in a New Zealand record time of 2.00.2 for 1700m.
That time lowered Ideal Belle’s previous national 3yr-old fillies’ 1700m mark of 2.00.4, set on a fast track in fine weather in the final of the Sires Stakes fillies series at Alexandra Park in 2013. The victory added to Bonnie Joan’s Ashburton heat win and further cements her place in this year’s final at Addington next month.
Bonnie Joan also claimed two other records, both from star fillies trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
The Somebeachsomewhere filly beat Adore Me’s previous Forbury Park track record by 1.6sec, as well as breaking her race rival, Partyon’s, previously unbeaten run at the races.
Before the race unfolded, the mobile score-up proved to be the closest any of Bonnie’s Joan’s rivals got to her. Dexter Dunn speared Bonnie Joan off the gate at the start, immediately gaining an advantage over their main rival, Partyon and driver Mark Purdon. The favourite was forced to sit parked, but did not apply pressure or try to cross to the front ahead of Bonnie Joan.
"She just sat on my wheel," Dunn said.
The only pressure in the race came from Bonnie Joan herself as she raced keenly, with Dunn hanging out the back of his sulky, as they entered the back straight the final time.
Partyon looked in trouble past the 600m as she could not level with a Bonnie Joan who continued to charge along in front.Bonnie Joan raced away in the straight while Somejoy and Seaswift Joy fought out the minor placings ahead of Mossdale Rose. Partyon was fifth. Although Bonnie Joan had run scintillating times in her last two starts, Dunn, like trainer Dalgety, had not held great hopes she would beat Partyon.
"You wouldn’t think you could. She has done some amazing things this year, Partyon."
Bonnie Joan already had a 1.52.8 mile win at Ashburton in February and a 2.53.8 2400m win at Winton, both also sensational winning times. They not only cemented the pacer’s place among New Zealand’s best 3yr-old fillies, but underlined the continued improvement Bonnie Joan has shown this season.
"She has come back even better after her spell," Dunn said.
The win also adds to a big week for broodmare Wave Runner.
The former eight-win race mare scored a hat-trick of her own with Thursday night’s win after Bonnie Joan and and another daughter, Break Dance, both won at Winton on Sunday.
Co-trainer Mark Purdon was offering few excuses for Partyon’s first race defeat in her 11-start career.
Though the filly had had two trials leading into the race, she may have lacked the extra fitness that recent racing would have provided, Purdon said.
The best news for her connections was the horse pulled up well after her gut-busting effort to race parked outside the leader on the drenched Forbury Park track, Purdon said.
- Jonny Turner
