Matamata horseman Benji King has a lifelong association with Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford, and he was delighted to train his first winner for her at Taupo on Monday.
The Dowager Duchess has been a long-time family friend of the King family and continues to breed from her mares at Benji’s father, Nick King’s, Brighthill Farm in the Waikato.
One of those mares was the late Inertia, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner and former Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock.
Benji King was there when she foaled an Ocean Park chestnut filly three years ago, and he was immediately taken by the filly, who was subsequently named Mid Ocean and was entrusted to his care.
She won her first trial over 850m at Waipa in October before finishing runner-up in an 800m trial at Pukekohe earlier this month, giving King plenty of confidence heading into her debut in the Two Mile Bay Sailing Club (1200m) at Taupo on Monday.
From her inside barrier, Mid Ocean was able to find early cover three back on the fence for jockey Courtney Barnes. Turning for home, Barnes was able to find a gap between runners, and Mid Ocean was able to power through to find the lead and hold on to record a half length victory over the fast-finishing Cypher.
The Dowager Duchess was trackside for the win and was rapt with the result.
“It is just wonderful,” she said. “Her mother is a half-sister to Tavistock. It is a family we have had since ‘75.
“Benji loved her as a foal, so I told him he could train her. It is so great to have Benji train her, I have known him since before he could walk.”
It was King’s second training victory, and he said it was a sentimental one given the family history.
“I was there when she foaled and we have had her the whole way through,” King said.
“She is my first three-year-old winner and my second ever winner, so it’s pretty exciting.”
King was hopeful of a bold showing given the filly’s trial performances and was pleased she was able to bring that form to raceday.
“We did have high hopes,” he said. “But a first starter as a three-year-old you are always a bit unsure, but that was pretty pleasing.”
King is now excited for what the future holds for the regally-bred filly.
“I would like to hope that she will get over a bit of a trip and then she could become quite valuable with some nice races ahead,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
