The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Bonneval is the horse to beat heading towards the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 18.

The three-year-old daughter of Makfi defied the on-speed pattern of the day to collar Savvy Dreams in the shadows of the post when successful in Thursday's Gr.3 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.

The winner of the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at her previous start, Bonneval produced a near-perfect Oaks trial in the Lowland, giving every indication she will relish the step up to 2400m.

"She still had a lot to do in that last 100 metres, so it was a very good effort," co-trainer Andrew Forsman said.

"She switched off so well down the back and she was just doing everything right – what you want to see an Oaks filly do.

"It's great to get her back from what she was at the start of her prep when things weren't going right. It's a credit to all of the staff at home, they've done a lot of work with her."

Runner-up Savvy Dreams was a half-head away in second, with three-quarters of a length to Devise in third.

Race favourite Nicoletta finished a brave fourth after sitting on a strong tempo, while Fashionably caught the eye from an Oaks perspective when closing strongly for fifth.

Bonneval is raced by long-time Baker stable clients John Rattray and Alister Lawrence, in partnership with Terry Jarvis, the former owner of The Oaks Stud.

The trio purchased the filly for $150,000 from the draft of Westbury Stud at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. Bonneval is one of four Group winners produced by the Zabeel mare Imposingly, after the Bjorn Baker-trained Imposing Lass and the Roger James-trained pair Full Of Spirit and Lady Cumquat.

The win has also seen Bonneval take the lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series, usurping Volpe Veloce, who has gone for a spell, and La Diosa, who is campaigning in Sydney.