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Stradbroke shot for Benedetta

3 minute read

Group 1 winner mare Benedetta is Brisbane bound for a tilt at Stradbroke Handicap.

BENEDETTA.
BENEDETTA. Picture: Racing Photos

Jason Warren is hoping he will not have to wait as long between his second and third Group 1 wins as he did between his first and second. 

It was more than 11 years between Group 1 drinks for Warren when Benedetta won The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 11. 

Warren secured his previous Group 1 win back in 2013 when Bel Sprinter took out The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill. 

"It meant a lot," Warren said of Benedetta's victory in Adelaide. 

"We were knocking on the door getting another one with Brooklyn Hustle and she was unlucky not to land one and then Benedetta was a bit stiff in a couple, but showed she was up to them. 

"So, it was nice to tick that one off." 

Benedetta is likely to be Warren's next Group 1 starter when she heads to Brisbane to contest the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 15. 

Warren has Benedetta tentatively booked on a flight to Brisbane on Tuesday night where she may be joined by Heinous, a winner at Sandown on Saturday. 

"I left her in Adelaide an extra week just to get over the run," Warren said. 

"She was over there for seven weeks and it's good when you've got good people looking after your horses for you." 

Jamie Kah, who guided Benedetta to victory in The Goodwood will be offered the Stradbroke ride, but Warren said nothing had been locked in. 

"She'll probably get offered half-a-dozen rides in the race," Warren said. 

A winner of eight of her 15 starts and more than $1.7 million in prize money, Benedetta will be having her first shot at 1400m if she runs in the Stradbroke. 

Warren does not see that as being a test for the mare who has won over 1300m at Sandown. 

"The 1400 metres is a question mark, but I think she's looking for it," Warren said. 

"She will get the chance to travel and go through her gears a bit better. She's had a few runs under the belt now and I reckon she's looking for a bit further." 

Warren said there was space on the plane for Heinous if the decision was made to travel the filly after her maiden win on Saturday. 

"There could be a race for her up there, so we'll see if she goes as well," Warren said. 

"We've always really liked this filly. We did think early on that we might get her to a Magic Millions, but she felt her shins." 


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