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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus would prefer the Wyong track on the better side of soft on Saturday to allow speedy mare Bonita Queen’s best asset to used to full effect.

The speedy mare resumes in the Wyong Equine Clinic Handicap (1100m) on the back of a typically sharp trial win and Hyeronimus said she gave him every indication in that gallop that she’s in good order for a first-up win.

“She’s going great, I rode her in the trial the other day and I was very happy with how she trialled,’’ he said.

“She’s a very sharp horse and I’m sure she gets herself quite fit the way she goes about her job. It’s a matter of keeping her happy and contained.

“Just being first-up, to try and help her as much as possible, being a fast horse it always suits to be on better ground.”

The Wyong track was rated a soft 6 on Friday with course manager Phill Robinson saying if there’s no overnight rain he'd expect to see the track improve to a soft 5 rating.

Coincidentally Bonita Queen, $2.10 with TAB on Friday, carries the same colours that Hyeronimus wore to victory on star colt Storm Boy in the Magic Millions Classic run this weekend last year.

Bonita Queen wins a trial at Warwick Farm on January 3

The Bjorn Baker trained mare has won three of her nine starts, all at 1100m, and was sent for a break after being run down by the in-form Fire Star back in October.

Hyeronimus said it’s his intention to lead from the outside barrier and only sees one possible stumbling block to that end.

“I’ve drawn wide and it’s just important to ride my own horse and go from there,’’ he said.

“The other horse that’s got speed is the one of Gai’s (Power Ballard) and it can be quite strong.

“I don’t think it can lead and beat me so it’d be quite detrimental to both horses if they set out at a solid tempo.

“I’m not sure what they have in mind for her but the way she raced last preparation this is a good starting point for her.”

A shoulder issue kept Hyeronimus off the scene for about a month before he returned last weekend and he’s rapt to have the ride on top weight Robusto in the feature $500,000 Wyong Leagues Group The Lakes (1600m).

He’s not ridden the five-year-old previously, the gelding was trained by Chris Waller until the end of August when purchased by Darby Racing and transferred to Bjorn Baker, but said his recent form speaks for itself.

Robusto won the Group 2 The Ingham last month and Hyeronimus hopes he can turn up in that form.

“He seems to be a horse that has found some good form the last few runs,” he said.

“He has to give the horses a bit of weight for running so well in his last couple but he’s a horse that puts himself there and gives himself every chance.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Wyong meeting