Gavin Carmody, host for Sky Thoroughbred Central, provided a concise assessment of the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, noting Benevac’s commanding front-running display.
The talented young jockey Grima has now reached 32 city wins and is two victories ahead of her closest competitor, Braith Nock, in the Sydney apprentices premiership, having partnered Benevac for her maiden win with champion trainer Ciaron Maher.
She made the most of the opportunity on Benevac, starting brilliantly from the barriers, controlling the race from the lead, and cruising to a comfortable victory.
Maher’s Sydney stable representative confirmed that Benevac was the first winner 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.”
Benevac, the striking chestnut runner priced at $2.70, led throughout the race and was never in doubt as the immediate chaser, Zoufame ($2.30 favourite), finished two-and-three-quarter lengths behind, with Escargoes ($6) securing third place.
Gerard Dubord noted that Benevac is a lightly-raced young sprinter who continues to improve as he gains more racing experience.
“He’s a lovely horse and we feel there is more to come from him,” Gerard Dubord elaborated. “He’s got a lot of upside.”
Benevac, cleverly named as he is by Godolphin’s highly-regarded young sire Bivouac out of 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 latest win at Randwick was the second of his career from 10 starts (plus five minor placings), and he has already earned over $290,000 in prizemoney, with the promise of more to come.
The Randwick meeting also featured a significant achievement for Eagle Farm-based trainer Todd Pollard, who prepared his first Sydney winner with All Kinds Of Folk in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1800m).
In fact, All Kinds Of Folk was Pollard’s inaugural runner in NSW, with the trainer having only obtained his licence in February.
Pollard has made a remarkable start to his training career, accumulating 10 winners 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 commented. “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 with skill by champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy, overtook the front-running Tambela ($4.80) near the finish line to win by a long neck, with Existential Bob ($5.50) finishing nearly three lengths behind in third place.
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