Bon Hoffa sprints to victory in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington on Saturday. The Cranbourne galloper is back to his best after being flattened by the equine influenza vaccine last spring. Picture: Courtesy of Slickpix.By Glen Atwell
CRANBOURNE galloper Bon Hoffa’s surprise win in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington on Saturday brought tears to the eyes of his trainer Wendy Kelly.
Bon Hoffa, a $16 TAB outsider in the 1200-metre feature, scored by a narrow margin in a thrilling four-way finish to claim back-to-back Bobbie Lewis wins.
His sights are now set on winning consecutive Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on 20 September.
Kelly said she was thrilled to see Bon Hoffa return to his best.
“I was speechless, I was so happy for him,” Kelly said.
“He is a horse that loves to race and he always wants to win.”
Bon Hoffa’s career was at the crossroads a few months ago, after a series of disappointing autumn starts, in which he failed to place in four attempts.
An adverse reaction to the equine influenza (EI) vaccine, which he received last spring, was blamed for Bon Hoffa’s lacklustre performances.
“The EI vaccination really knocked him around. It was hard, because we had to give him a virus to make sure he was immune,” Kelly said.
“It was heartbreaking to see him struggle through the autumn. He was a horse that had never run a bad race before that campaign,” she said.
The six-year-old chestnut entire has now won nine times from 20 starts, a record that includes a win in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last year.
Kelly said Bon Hoffa had pulled up well after Saturday’s run and is now being prepared for a tilt at successive Group 1 features.
“I’m expecting him to run well, he’s back to his best and will give the race his all,” she said.
Bon Hoffa is a much-loved racehorse, a clear favourite among on-course punters.
Kelly said his popularity was a result of Bon Hoffa’s memorable name and striking appearance.
“He is a lovely golden chestnut, has a name you’d never forget and he won three races in a row last year,” she said.
“Add to that the fact he has won at big odds before and the ingredients for popularity are all there.”
Saturday’s performance is certain to have won Bon Hoffa a new legion of fans.
Star hoop Vlad Duric piloted Bon Hoffa to victory in the race. Grand Duels finished second, and Orange County was a nose way in third.
