Brilliant Hellbent mare Benedetta has been taking on the A graders this preparation finishing fourth in both the Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate and VRC Newmarket Handicap, so a drop back in grade on Saturday at Morphettville to the Group III SAJC RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) gave her the opportunity to return to the winner’s list.
Trained by Jason Warren and ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Benedetta showed her class when forging clear of progressive Zoustar mare Climbing Star to win by half a length.
“She’s never finished further back than fourth in any of her races and those were in bloody good races,” said Jason Warren.
“She’s obviously a terrific honest mare very good for Eales Syndications and they’ve got a really nice group of yearlings that they’ve purchased.”
Benedetta runs in the famous colours of Laurence Eales that were carried by Melbourne Cup winner Shocking and was a $75,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Eales Racing Syndications from the Mill Park draft.
She has the overall record of seven wins from 13 starts with $1.1million in prizemoney.
A half-sister to Group II placed Whatfox and smart winner Sunset Dreaming, she was bred by Brenton and Liz Parker and is the best of three winners from Group II placed Domesday mare Whatalovelyday, who comes from the family of Group I winners Leica Guv, Light Fantastic and Pharoah.
Mill Park sold the current yearling, a colt by King;s Legacy, from Whatalovelyday at Inglis Premier this year for $160,000 to Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock.
Whatalovelyday is due to foal again this spring to Hellbent.
