Benedetta brought up a treble of doubles as she atoned for a run of top-tier frustration by becoming the first mare in 11 years to win Adelaide’s marquee sprint, The Goodwood (G1) at Morphettville May 11.
The 4-year-old’s success under 55 kilograms in the set weights feature gave Yarraman’s second-string sire Hellbent his second group 1 success, following on from Magic Time‘s win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (G1) in November, before adding a second top-flight win to her record when she won Randwick’s All Aged Stakes (G1) last month.
Benedetta brought a second group 1 for Jason Warren, and completed a black-type double for the Mornington trainer on Saturday’s card following the win of Flyer in the David Coles AM Stakes (G3).
After Adelaide native Jamie Kah had waited so long to win her first hometown group 1, she completed the feat in last week’s South Australian Derby (G1) on Coco Sun, but after Saturday’s win she now has two to her name—among 14 in total—after a superb ride on Benedetta.
Bred by Adelaide boutique breeders Brenton and Liz Parker, and bought from Mill Park Stud’s draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale of 2021 by Eales Racing—whose colors she bears—for $75,000 (all figures $AUS), Benedetta has now won eight of 15 starts and more than $1.7 million.
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She had come close on the big stage earlier this campaign in her first three attempts at the group 1 level, with fourths in the Oakleigh Plate (G1) and the Newmarket Handicap (G1), before a last-start third in Morphettville’s Robert Sangster Stakes (G1).
In her first start in blinkers on Saturday, however, she broke through in impressive fashion despite easing slightly in betting to start a $6 third favorite for the $1 million feature
Kah settled the mare just off the pace in the sixth spot from barrier three, and after she pushed through a narrow gap halfway down the straight, Benedetta hit the front at the 100 meters and staved off the late challenge of Phillip Stokes’s longshot Stretan Angel to win by 0.2 lengths.
Climbing Star took third 1.6 lengths off the winner, having claimed top-level success at her previous start in the Robert Sangster Stakes. I Am Me, the $5.50 second favorite, held on for fourth, ahead of Perth raider Oscar’s Fortune.
The West Australian of whom most was expected—Amelia’s Jewel—was disappointing as a $4.40 favorite in her last start for trainer Simon Miller before being transferred to Annabel Neasham. The 4-year-old settled near the rear after being slowly away, and dawdled on an inside course to finish 12th
All credit went to Benedetta—the first mare to win the Goodwood since Platelet in 2013–for a breakthrough win that left Warren wiping away tears.
“I’m relieved to be honest. Just wanted to get the job done for the horse and she’s been so gallant in defeat in good races,” he said.
“Just to get that Group 1 under the belt is a big relief.”
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