Davy Bonilla to ride Moonlight Cloud in Britain’s 1000 Guineas: Horse Racing news
Jockey Davy Bonilla firmly believes that even though he does not have much experience riding in either Britain or at Newmarket, it is nothing more than a minor detail, and will not at all affect his chances of victory at the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday.
The Frenchman will be riding the race favourite, Moonlight Cloud.
Contrary to the practices of fellow French jockeys such as Christophe Soumillon and Olivier Peslier, who have made it a point to make regular trips across the channel to race in Britain’s biggest meets and events, Bonilla has ridden in Britain a total of
nine times in the last five seasons. During that time he has only managed to bag himself one win atop Marchan D’Or in the 2008 Darley July Cup.
The 2008 Darley July Cup was raced on Newmarket’s July course but the jockey also has the experience of racing on the Rowley Mile in 2002, when he took part in the 2000 Guineas with his mount Zipping finishing fourth. On this subject, the French jockey told
reporters that he has the experience of competing in the Guineas before, since he rode in the Rock Of Gibraltar’s Guineas almost 10 years ago. Bonilla also competed in a Group 3 event for John Dunlop in the same year that the Guineas took place.
Bonilla’s mount Moonlight Cloud holds a general chance of 9-2 for this year’s renewal race after her success in the Group 3 Prix Imprudence. When asked about her chances in the race, Bonilla said that he believed she would be a worthy opponent since she
proved herself to be one of the best French juvenile fillies last year and won the trial.
Bonilla was interviewed by reporters and revealed that he did not follow and thus knew little about British racehorses though his personal views about Misty For Me, who he finished fourth behind in the Prix Marcel Boussac, were quite favourable. He believes
that Misty For Me’s trainer, Freddie Head, must have been terribly proud of her performance in the Prix Imprudence to allow her to run despite the meager chance available to her.
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