Bonjoy’s peculiar preparation fails to turn away punters, firming as favourite for Sheila Gwynne Classic

She might have plotted a peculiar preparation, but it’s hard to fault the form of Bonjoy heading into the Listed $125,000 A-1 Engineering Sheila Gwynee Classic (1400m) at Ascot. Despite winning her last three starts, those victories have come across a three-month period having been scratched from feature races twice in that time, both of which she would have started a warm favourite. After a race morning removal from the Detonator Stakes on February 22, trainer Jason Miller was ready to spell the marvel mare. But just two days later, she was in such rude health he couldn’t help but press on. “She missed that run three weeks ago but by Monday morning, she was bouncing around and sound,’ Miller said. “I thought ‘she’s going to have a long time out; she’s so well in herself that I’ll give her one more’. “I think she came into work on the first of July, so she’s been in a fair while, but obviously she’s had a couple of little mishaps and things haven’t totally gone her way. Only four starts, so that was another reason on giving her another one.” Adding to the irregularity of the campaign is Saturday’s 1400m distance, given that she was prepared for the Detonator’s 1800m trip. “It’s a little bit of a question mark but when she got scratched out of the La Trice, she was ready for an 1800m,” Miller said. “Her next start, she dropped back to 1500m and it’s very similar circumstances. “Six weeks between runs but because she was ready for 1800m, she’s got that base fitness there, so the last three weeks I’ve actually backed off her work. “She’s only had one gallop this week trying to keep a bit more sprint in her legs, so hopefully that shows.” As has been the case in each of her three consecutive wins, the five-year-old bay by Maschino has command of the betting as the $2.80 TABtouch favourite ahead of Generosity ($3.30) and Secret Attraction ($4) “She’s that type of horse any race she goes in, you’ve got to respect her. She’s got that will to win,” Miller said. “At home, she only does what she needs to sometimes, but you take her to the races, and she really steps up. She can definitely win.” + Sportsbet have selected Sydney sprinter I Am Me to fill their slot in The Quokka on April 26. Raced by Dean and Adam Watt’s Dynamic Syndications, I Am Me has won $4.7 million in her 11 wins from 27 starts. She will next start in the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 5 where she will meet dual-Quokka winner Overpass. + Amelia’s Jewel ($7.50) and Alsephina ($20) continue their preparations in the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.