Having his fifth start in Australia, Mick Price and Michael Kent’s French import Boniface (FR) secured his first local victory, and first at black type level, winning the G3 Gold Coast Turf Club Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Improving off his second placed effort the start prior, the OTI raced gelding jumped away the race favourite under jockey Tommy Berry, settling handy on the outside of So You Think gelding So You Are who was having his first start for his new stable after being transferred to the Bjorn Baker yard.
With the favourite pair racing together, the leader’s stablemate Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) settled in third, two lengths way.
As Rachel King rolled into the home straight aboard So You Are, Berry asked Boniface for an effort and the 5yo gelding responded strongly, going out after the leader where he took the lead with 250m to run.
While a few runners were making up late ground Boniface held a half length winning margin from So We Are, with the fast closing, Chirs Waller trained Matusalem back in third.
Stable rep Ben Elam was on course to speak about the victory.
“He’s trained on really well, we haven’t done a lot with him as he’s a highly strung horse, albeit he is relaxed. He puts a lot into his work so we don’t do much galloping with him. He’s a French import that we have had to ‘unwind’ a little bit.”
“You could almost say it was eight weeks between runs but that’s racing what happened last start.
“We had to feel our way with him trying to get into this race. It’s a race that always has some nice horses in it but it doesn’t get a massive field every year so we thought he was a chance of getting a run. We got the run on Monday with nominations being a little bit skinny.”
“It was really good to see him relax outside the leader. I would like to see him with a bum in front of him so he can follow and be dragged into the race. He did a pretty good hit and hit the line strongly so we are very pleased.”
Ridden by Berry for the first time, who was glad to see him secure the win after being winless for while.
“We got the first half too easy and Rachel's (King) got a beautiful knack of getting horses into a lovely rhythm, slipping you down the side and you can't get her back. So I just had to make sure I was close enough without trying to get to the front too early on my bloke.”
“When they haven't won for a while, they lack a little bit of confidence and he needed that today, so I'm sure he'll go on with it now.
“Has a very good turn of foot. Late on he just wanted to lay in on Rach, and I was worried about another protest, so I tried to keep him straight.”
“But I've got to say, full credit to Tyler, who's ridden him at his last couple. He obviously didn't get a ride today, but he came around and saw me and told me everything I needed to know about the horse. That just shows what a top bloke he is, and he'll obviously get his turn.”
Taking his record to four wins from and three placed efforts from just ten starts with earnings of $284,909, Boniface was a € 250,000 purchase by OTI, Narvick, De Burgh and Windfield at the 2025 Arqana Summer Sale.
The first winner out of the unraced Sea The Stars mare Creala, a half-sister to G3 winner Tornibush (Dream Ahead), Boniface comes from the family of G1 winners Vadamos, Valixir, Vazira and Vadawina.
Boniface becomes the 24th international stakes winner for Makfi’s dual G1-winning son Make Believe who stood at a fee of € 10,000 this year at Ballylinch Stud.
