Benedetta (+500) has claimed her first-career Group 1 success, as Jason Warren & Jamie Kah combined to secure victory in the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been a long-overdue accomplishment for the daughter of Hellbent, with her ultra-consistency finally paying dividends after three bold displays in Group 1 company this preparation.
She finished off third best in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) on April 27, closing within a half-length of Climbing Star (+2000) to suggest she would be a major player in turning the tables on Saturday.
It proved to be the case in the capable hands of Jamie Kah, slotting into a lovely position mid-field with cover throughout the journey, as I Am Me (+450) and Arkansaw Kid (+3300) battled it out for the early lead.
Johnny Rocker (+600) and Oscar’s Fortune (+550) slotted into perfect stalking positions behind the speed, while the eventual trifecta trio were ridden to make a sprint down the centre of the course.
Benedetta and Stretan Angel (+3000) surged to fight it out in the concluding stages, but when asked for the ultimate effort by Kah, it was Benedetta managing to get the head down despite a gallant performance in defeat by Stretan Angel.
2024 The Goodwood Replay – Benedetta
An emotional Jason Warren was delighted with the win, suggesting that they may press on for a Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) tilt later in the winter.
“Relieved to be honest,” said Warren.
“Just wanted to get the job done for the horse and she’s been so gallant in defeat in good races and just to get that group one under the belt is a big relief and we’ll head north now and head towards the Stradbroke.
“We’ve got a big group of owners, I must say to Caitlin Jones and Teegan Voorham who have done all the work with these girls since they’ve been here, these horses of mine… the local trainers here have been so welcoming, it’s been a terrific few weeks for us.”
Jamie Kah picked up her second Group 1 win in Adelaide in as many weeks, as every went according to plan as she added the Goodwood to her growing resume of Group 1 wins.
“It was exactly where I wanted to be,” said Kah.
“Everything just happened perfectly for us. She’s a horse with so much talent and she’s just had things not go her way and today it was lined out perfectly for her.
“She just got to the front a touch soon and she just waited with the blinkers on for the first time she couldn’t see anything around her, she was good once she could feel the horse coming to her again. I did think it would be easier than what it was in the end but she just couldn’t see that horse, but it worked out in the end.
“It’s so special. I wanted that one group one and after one you want another one, you want to keep getting more and more. I’ve got a few more to beat Ben’s record for the Goodwoods but I’ll be back next year.”
Benedetta is now a +1400 chance with online bookmakers for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 15.
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