Linda Meech scraped the paint every inch of the 1200 metres on Bons Away in Saturday's Listed WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and it proved the deciding factor.
With the scratching of Nature Strip, the top-class 3yo colt Written By was expected to be gifted an easy lead and everything seemed to be going to script until the son of Written Tycoon came under pressure from Ashlor coming into the home straight. He no sooner had beaten that gelding off when Meech made her claim when squeezing through on the rail on Bons Away and the 5yo son of Bon Hoffa proved the best by a long-neck. (photo Grant Courtney)
Lonhro's son Encryption made a pleasing return by running on well for third a further two lengths back.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustice, Bons Away advances his record to 6 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $395,290.
Bons Away's nest start will come in the $500,000 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, a race that he finished a close-up fifth in last year behind Russian Revolution, Snitty Kitty and Hellbent.
"It's back to his handicap condition," Maher told Racing.com
"It'll be ideal for him, it's a race we've really targeted."
Maher was full of praise for Linda Meech.
"When she beat Brave Smash here (Testa Rossa Stakes) on this horse, (owner) Ken (King) was happy to back her," Maher said.
"She does a great job for the stables. She's there every Tuesday and whenever we want her.
"He (Ken King) has been a great supporter of the stable for a long time.
"He's produced two Group 1 winners for the stable (Set Square and Bon Aurum) that he's bred himself and hopefully this horse is on the way to his."
Bred by Parador Park Thoroughbreds, Bons Away is one of four winners from as many to race out of the Mossman mare Villa Albani who was a $2,000 purchase at the 2012 Great Southern Bloodstock Sale. Her 3yo Street Boss (USA) filly Street Icon has won her only two starts including a Sandown win on January 23.
Villa Albani has a 2yo filly by Bon Hoffa named Bons Abroad. She missed in 2016 and 2017 and was covered by Bon Hoffa's Group 1 winning son Bon Aurum again last spring.
Winner of the MRC Testa Rossa Stakes in 2017, Bons Away is one of three stakes winners for Bon Hoffa who covered 83 mares at Bowness Stud last spring for a fee of $7,700.
