Sky Thoroughbred Central’s host Gavin Carmody offered a precise summary of the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, describing Benevac’s commanding front-running performance.
The talented young jockey Grima has now accumulated 32 city wins, placing her two wins clear of nearest rival Braith Nock in the Sydney apprentices premiership, after steering Benevac to her first victory for champion trainer Ciaron Maher.
She capitalised on Benevac’s strong start, taking the lead right from the barriers and maintaining a comfortable advantage throughout the race.
Maher’s Sydney stable representative confirmed that Benevac was the first horse Grima had ridden for the stable.
“Siena has only had a few rides for us before so it is great she has won for the stable on Benevac,” said Johann Gerard Dubord, Maher’s Sydney stable representative. “She’s riding really well and did everything right on the horse.”
Striking chestnut Benevac ($2.70) dictated terms from the outset and was never in danger, with the immediate chaser Zoufame ($2.30 favourite) finishing two-and-three-quarter lengths behind, and Escargoes ($6) a close third.
Gerard Dubord stated that Benevac is a young horse with limited racing experience who continues to show improvement with each run.
“He’s a lovely horse and we feel there is more to come from him,” Gerard Dubord remarked. “He’s got a lot of upside.”
Benevac, whose name cleverly reflects his sire Bivouac, a prominent young sire from Godolphin, and his dam Houston Benefactor, was purchased by Dean and Adam Watt’s Dynamic Syndications for $140,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale two years ago. His victory at Randwick marked the second win of his career from 10 starts (with five minor placings), and he has more than recouped his purchase price, accumulating over $290,000 in prizemoney with the potential for more.
It was a day of firsts for several participants at the Randwick meeting, including Eagle Farm-based trainer Todd Pollard, who celebrated his first Sydney winner with All Kinds Of Folk in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1800m).
Significantly, All Kinds Of Folk was Pollard’s first runner in NSW, as the trainer only took out his licence in February.
Pollard has enjoyed a stellar start to his training career, with All Kinds Of Folk being his 10th winner from just 44 starters, including two wins at Listed level.
“I don’t think we will keep that strike-rate going but I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career,” he stated. “And to get a winner here at Randwick with my first runner is a very special moment for me.”
All Kinds Of Folk ($4.40 favourite), ridden expertly by champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy, chased down the early leader Tambela ($4.80) close to the finish line to win by a long neck, with Existential Bob ($5.50) finishing three lengths back in third.
Check out the betting markets for the race today.
