Trainer Glen Thompson from Flemington expects Benagil’s suitability to 2000m to spark a sharper display at Caulfield.
This Saturday’s Group 3 Easter Cup will be the mare’s fourth race back from rest.
Thompson recalled Benagil taking out a 2000m Group 1 contest as a three-year-old, and securing two Group 1 minor placings—at 2000m and 2200m.
Over 2000m most recently, she was well-beaten into last place by Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes at Flemington last spring.
The track was notably heavy, occurring as her season wrapped up.
Three starts into the current campaign without a placing, yet Thompson is content with Benagil’s work.
Her freshest run was eighth to Treasurethe Moment in the 1600m Sunline Stakes at Caulfield, March 21.
“She’s going really well,” Thompson said.
“Her first run, she wasn’t ready, then in her second run she was a little plain.
“I thought her run the other day was great. Her sectionals were the second fastest of the race where she was back last and ran on.
“She won at the 2000 metres in the Australasian Oaks (at Morphettville), and she got to 2200 metres, running third in the Queensland Oaks.
“I’m thinking getting her back up to 2000 metres, we’ll see an improved run from her.”
Down the line, Thompson keeps options open for Queensland’s Winter Carnival, though after Saturday’s Easter Cup, attention turns to the April 18 Mornington Cup (2400m).
Victors in the Mornington Cup earn a pass into the 2400m Caulfield Cup in October.
“At this stage she’ll go Easter Cup, Mornington Cup, and if she can win that, then she can go to the paddock and get ready for the spring,” Thompson said.
“It will then all be about one race for her.”
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