Bon Aurum chasing same G1 success as sire

Bon Aurum will attempt to emulate his sire by winning the same Group One handicap at Caulfield.

The Ciaron Mahar-trained four-year-old contests the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, a race his sire Bon Hoffa won in 2007.

Like his sire, Bon Aurum is part-owned by Ken King Thoroughbreds.

Bon Hoffa gave trainer Wendy Kelly her only Group One win to date and was the first for jockey Vlad Duric.

Bon Aurum is no stranger to victory on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes day, winning the Caulfield Guineas Prelude at the corresponding meeting last year.

Importantly for Maher, Bon Aurum heads into Saturday’s race in form following a last-start win in The Sofitel at Flemington on September 10.

Bon Aurum galloped with stablemate Throssell on the course proper at Caulfield on Tuesday morning in a hit-out that pleased Maher.

Maher said the four-year-old had made improvement following both starts this campaign.

After finishing ninth in the Caulfield Guineas last year, Bon Aurum needed surgery on a bone chip in a knee.

While the operation was successful, Bon Aurum didn’t live up to expectations in three autumn runs.

But Maher said the break and beach training at Warrnambool had brought out the best in Bon Aurum.

“He was pretty wild and woolly at his first start but hit the line well and then improved off that,” Maher said.

“He was strong and his sectionals were great last start. Those handicap conditions again at 1400 metres on Saturday will suit him.

Maher said he would like to see Bon Aurum drawn away from the fence so he had galloping room.

“He seems to be a horse that likes to be striding into the race around the swing so something between five to 10 should suit him I would think,” he said.