Sometimes punters can miss a coming winner when controversy reigns elsewhere during a race.
Benall could be one of those horses if he handles a seven-day back-up in Saturday's 1 Oliver St Plate (2500m) at Flemington.
Benall finished a length behind the winner Kiwia in last Saturday's VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) in which the unlucky run of the fifth-placed Charlevoix drew all of the post-race comment.
Jockey Craig Newitt piloted Benall into his second placing in the $150,000 race last Saturday and suggested Cranbourne trainer Geoff Cousins give the son of Blackfriars another crack at a city win a week later.
"I actually rang him to suggest he nominates him for this race instead of waiting the following week," Newitt said.
"There's another 2500m (race) at Flemington but horses like Charlevoix will be in it so it will be stronger than Saturday.
"If he handles the back up, he'll just about win."
Newitt has ridden Benall at his past four starts for two wins and two seconds with the idea of using the six-year-old's stamina to offset a lack of acceleration playing a big part in his improved form.
Benall has settled back in his races but Newitt has asked the stayer to make runs from as far as 1200m from home, which has kept him in contention for longer in the straight.
"He has limited ability but one thing he can do is stay all day," Newitt said.
"He's going terrific the way I'm riding him so I'm going to ride him the same way.
"You can make a 1400m run on him and he just keeps going. He just doesn't stop."
Benall has started at big odds at his last couple of runs but Sportsbet has opened him at $10 in its market on the $120,000 race.
