The competitive nature of Bonny Lass was showcased at Taupo where the gifted short course performer was a runaway trial winner on Wednesday.
The dashing daughter of Super Easy was quickly into stride to make the running and was travelling easily at the top of the straight.
She coasted clear in the run home with rider Craig Grylls barely moving a muscle to have four and a-quarter lengths on last season’s Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Romancing The Moon at the end of 1100m on a heavy track.
“I was very, very happy with that and I said to Craig just give her a quiet trial and that’s what it was really to be honest, she’s just so competitive and can’t help herself,” said Graham Richardson, who trains with Rogan Norvall.
“I had her at the beach for a while and Kylie Grass did a fantastic job and she came to me a couple of weeks ago and looks great.”
Bonny Lass’ combative attitude is reflected in her record of six wins from 14 appearances, including successes in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Group Three wins in the Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) and the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
She also ran third in both the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) and the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) for her ownership group, managed by Brent Cooper.
“I’ve got to talk to Brent, but we’ll possibly go to Te Rapa on September 17th for an open 1200m, and that depends on what weight she gets, and then go toward the Sweynesse again,” Richardson said.
“There are so many races for her later on, the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) and the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m).
“There’s also the BCD Group Sprint (Gr.1, 1400m) at Te Rapa where she goes well. To me, she’s better at 1200m but she’s also very, very good at 1400m.”
Stablemate Defibrillate also stretched his legs in an 1100m heat and went around under his own steam to finish midfield in the hands of Mubs Kareem.
“He had a nice day and was never going to beat them, so I said to Mubs just give him a nice hit out and keep him out of trouble,” Richardson said.
“I didn’t want him in any traffic and he was out three wide and rolled up the straight, it was perfect for him. He’s coming up well.
“He’s going to Te Rapa as well for an open 1600m and he’ll get plenty of weight and then he’ll go down to the Livamol Classic (Gr.1, 2040m). He’ll head the same way as last year.”
Defibrillate ran third in the 2022 Livamol behind Mustang Valley before he won the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m) and then delivered a career-high performance to claim the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m).
Richardson was also delighted to see Channel Surfer gain a well-deserved first success when he won The Proisir Champion Sire Maiden (1200m) in his seasonal return at Taupo.
Seven of his previous 10 appearances had been in black-type company and distinguished himself well with placings in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and at Listed level in the Trevor & Coralie Eagle Memorial (1500m) and the Castletown Stakes (1200m).