Improving from a last start third at Gosford, Ciaron Maher’s 3yo Bivouac gelding Benevac was too strong on the line in the opening race at Canterbury, breaking his maiden for Dynamic Syndications.
Having made his debut at 2 in the Listed Lonhro Plate when beaten just over six lengths, Benevac has clearly come back in fine form this time in off the back of a gelding operation, jumping away well from the outside barrier under Tim Clark to go forward and sit outside the leader.
As the Bjorn Baker trained Defiance (Zoustar) started to drop off as the field entered the short Canterbury straight, Clark asked for an effort and Benevac found a length or so on the field.
Coming from behind Benevac’s back, the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Zousain gelding Buckeye made a concerted effort to chase down the leader, failing by a narrow margin on the line.
Noted working home from well back in the field on debut for third, the run of Pierro Lad (Pierro), a stablemate of the winner was noteworthy from a future ‘follow me’ aspect.
Maher Racing stable rep Johann Gerard-Dubord knew that with race fitness on his side, Benevac would be hard to catch in the straight.
“Obviously, around this track if you can skip away like he did, especially, as he’d had a run under his belt, so we were comfortable doing that,” said Gerard-Dubord.
“He's always been showing a bit of talent, that's why we started him in that race (Lonhro Plate) last prep. He did a few things wrong that day and so he's been gilded since.
“He was good first up and improved on the back of that, and yeah, it was tough today. So good to get a job done.
“Great to get the job done for Dynamic. They're very good supporters and Adam's granddad, Cyril, is not very well, and I think that means a lot to them.”
Having also trained the third placed Pierro Lad and fourth placed Peace Bird, Gerard-Dubord was pleased with their efforts.
“They're similar kind of horses,” said Gerard-Dubord.
“We were coming here just trying to get just a good day out for them.
“We knew they would be strong late. They had to go a long way back, but from the top of the straight.
“It didn't look like they were traveling, but the last little bit of the race was obviously very good, and yeah, it's nice going forward to have three nice horses.”
Having ridden him the start prior also, Clark noted the improvement he showed from one run to the next.
“Look, he drew a little bit awkwardly and just had to be positive on him early to get our spot,” said Clark.
“I started him up a little bit to get there, and it just took me a little while to get him back, but he came back and settled off the leader, and if anywhere, it just didn't take me anywhere.
“It just left him there a bit early, and he was left a sitting duck, really.
“To the horse's credit, and to Ciaron and the team, they had him very well prepared for today. He responded well, and I felt that he went again inside the last 50 when the second horse challenged him.
“They really do improve into their preparations, and it's good to get the win on the board, and good to ride another winner for Dynamic.”
Purchased from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Dynamic Syndications and Dean Watt Bloodstock for $140,000, Benevac is the sixth winner from seven to the races out of the well-related Encosta de Lago mare Houston Benefactor.
A sister to Group 2 winner Sovereign Nation and a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Princess Coup, herself the dam of stakes winners Argentia and Thewizardofoz, Houston Benefactor unfortunately missed to So You Think the year after producing Benevac, followed by foaling a filly by Russian Revolution.
Unfortunately, there will be no foal this season with the mare missing to Russian Revolution.
One of four winners so far this season for Bivouac, highlighted by Beiwacht, a quality last start second in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose, the Champion 3yo son of Exceed And Excel is standing this season at Darley Kelvinside for $55,000 (Inc. GST).
