Progressive mare Bonita Queen back with brilliant win at Wyong

Lightly-raced mare Bonita Queen has made improvement each preparation and jockey Adam Hyeronimus feels is could be destined for stakes company after a smart first-up win at Wyong.

Bonita Queen resumed with a stylish win at Wyong. Picture: Getty Images

Adam Hyeronimus was confident he’d just jumped off a stakes-quality mare after Bonita Queen made the perfect return at Wyong on Saturday.

Bonita Queen boosted her already terrific record to four wins and five placings from 10 starts with a classy performance in the Wyong Equine Clinic Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

Hyeronimus followed the trend of the day and went to the front to assume a leading role on the Bjorn Baker-trained contender.

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Bonita Queen ($2.60 favourite) continued finding when put under pressure in the home straight to hold off the Kylie Gavenlock-trained Audette ($16) by three-quarters of a length.

Scott Singleton’s Dollar Magic ($3.80) had too much ground to make up, finishing third.

“It was fantastic,” Hyeronimus said.

“She trialled well and I expected her to win today.

“She was a little bit fresh and wanted to get on with it a bit today but she will improve a lot and I think she will be a different horse next start as well.”

It continued an incredible run of form for Bjorn Baker with Bonita Queen his 17th winner from his past 50 starters and keeps the Warwick Farm conditioner on track for a career best season.

Baker has so far expertly brought Bonita Queen through her grades and it has paid significant dividends in the early stages of his mare’s career.

Hyeronimus believes even bigger things await the improving four-year-old.

“I think she is probably stakes quality if she can keep progressing,” Hyeronimus said.

BONITA QUEEN continues the great run of form for @BBakerRacing and takes out the fifth race from @WyongRaceClub under Adam Hyeronimus. pic.twitter.com/4QeIP7nOpy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 11, 2025

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“Each preparation she has improved which has been very nice, in her mannerisms and what not.

“I think she will be a lot more relaxed.

“She is obviously a sharp filly but having today’s run she will be a lot more relaxed but I think she can get to stakes grade.

“Everything has to keep going the right way and it looks like it’s going to.”

A stakes win would make Bonita Queen an even more valuable breeding prospect as a daughter of I Am Invincible out of Group 2 Sapphire Stakes victor Quilista.

Bonita Queen races in the colours of the Cunningham families Ridgmont Farm, who also race brilliant Stradbroke Handicap winner Stefi Magnetica with Baker.

Unbeaten filly Arriving Home has also impressed in the same navy and gold silks in Sydney in recent weeks before earning a start in the $3m Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

The Cunningham’s also enjoyed success with former boom colt Storm Boy, who won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and was third in the Golden Slipper.

Storm Boy, purchased by Coolmore, has now moved over to the Northern Hemisphere to join champion trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Originally published as Progressive mare Bonita Queen back with brilliant win at Wyong