Benno’s Boy saddles up for his 164th race as Trevor Sutherland-trained trio becomes the pride of the Riverina as

The ‘Riverina Three’ aren’t good enough for stakes races but their story is a remarkable one. On Monday, the stablemates will have notched up more than 370 starts between them. Has trainer Trevor Sutherland found the elixir of youth?

They can’t hold a race meeting in the Riverina these days without Benno’s Boy. Or Gentleman Max. Or Willy White Socks.

This trio aren’t good enough for stakes races, it’s the bush circuit or bust for them, but they are as admired and familiar to punters as many elite racehorses.

At Wagga Wagga on Monday, Benno’s Boy will contest his 164th race. You read that right. He’s about to have his 164th start.

Gentleman Max isn’t doing too badly. He’s lining up in his 121st race. Willy White Socks is still “learning” about racing. He’s only had 91 starts!

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Benno's Boy will make his 164th start on Monday at Wagga.

There have been others like them who have raced on and on and on. Star Of Universe competed mainly in the north-west region of NSW and had 196 starts, winning 21 races. He was still going strong when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 13 a few years ago.

French Command is a rising 11-year-old, trained out of Kempsey, and had his 150th start at Murwillumbah last week. He’s won 17 races and also seems to be getting better with age.

But what makes the “Riverina Three” more remarkable is they are stablemates. All trained by Trevor Sutherland out of Wagga Wagga.

Has Sutherland found the elixir of youth? Or is there a simple explanation for the longevity and durability of his racehorses?

A 13-year-old Star of the Universe in 2013.

“The three of them are no champions but they are our little champions,’’ Sutherland said.

“They try so hard and are still racing to their ability, too. I don’t think I’ve got any more out of them but I’ve held them at their level. I just think they enjoy their racing and stable life so much.

“Each morning, they want to get out on the track and do their work. They are beautiful horses to ride. Benno’s Boy can pull a bit but that is only because he loves it so much – he wants to race every horse he sees.’’

Benno’s Boy’s will be having his 34th start this preparation at Wagga Wagga tomorrow. Most racehorses don’t have that many starts in their entire careers. Incredibly, he hasn’t had an official “spell” – a break of three months from racing – for more than four years.

The stewards even tapped Sutherland on the shoulder last year and gently persuaded the trainer to give the gelding a respite from racing.

“Benno’s Boy had dapples all over him, he was in great condition, but the stewards told me I had to spell him,’’ Sutherland said.

“They told me he had to have two months off. I sent him to this spelling property where he had a luscious paddock to roam around and he was getting two feeds a day.

“But when he came back in he was 30kg lighter! Some of these older horses don’t do well away from their stable environment and he is like that – he just loves stable life.

“Gentleman Max is the same. These two enjoy the lifestyle of being in the stables, training and racing more than any other horses I’ve had.’’

Trevor Sutherland in 2019. Picture: Kyle Shaw/TRACKPIX

Benno’s Boy isn’t just going around making up the numbers in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) tomorrow, either.

He has probably never raced in better form. He’s only missed a top three finish once in his past nine starts, winning twice during this period including his most recent outing at Gundagai eight days ago.

Sutherland said the veteran sprinter keeps himself fit these days. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve galloped Benno’s Boy fast on the track,’’ the trainer said.

“He goes to the races every couple of weeks or so and I only keep him for short race distances these days. I keep him fresh, he is loving life and is a very happy horse, very easy to train.

“Touch wood, I’ve never had a vet to him, he has had no problems with his feet or his legs. We massage him regularly and look after him but he’s just a tough horse.’’

Benno’s Boy actually defeated a subsequent Group 1 winner, Voodoo Lad, when he made his race debut in a Gunnedah two-year-old maiden more than six years ago.

His form tapered off after that and the horse was put on the market less than two years later. Sutherland needed just $2,000 to buy the gelding.

Benno’s Boy has been with Sutherland for more than five years now and his career statistics make for impressive reading. He has won 17 races, managed to place in another 51, and has earned nearly $250,000 prizemoney.

Racing is a cut-throat business and there is little room for sentiment but Benno’s Boy even has a fan club amongst Sutherland’s peers.

“I’ve noticed other trainers start to cheer for him when he hits the front at the 100m,’’ Sutherland said. “He’s a popular horse. So is ‘Max’.’’

Gentleman Max will contest his 121st race on Monday.

Gentleman Max is running in the Open Handicap (1300m) tomorrow. He’s already won 15 races and earned more than $340,000 for his syndicate of owners.

Wagga Wagga’s track rating will be in the heavy range, the preferred surface for Gentleman Max. Benno’s Boy is better on drier tracks but is still effective on a wet track.

Willy White Socks runs in the Riverina Cup Prelude (2500m) but Sutherland concedes the gelding does struggle on heavy tracks these days.

“Old ‘Willy’ is still going well but he just struggles on these really wet tracks,’’ Sutherland said.

“He will try his best, he always does. My other horse in that race, Jungle Book, is going to be hard to beat. He’s won his last three starts and is getting a bit of a cult following, too.’’

The 2019-20 racing season draws to a close at the end of this month but the “Riverina Three” will be racing on next season. Sutherland has no plans to retire his veteran trio.

“It’s pretty hard to retire them when they are racing so well,’’ Sutherland said.

“Benno’s Boy is the oldest and the first day he shows me he doesn’t want to be there, I will retire him but right now, he’s a happy horse and he’s still racing as well as ever.

“The stewards know how much I love this horse and so does my wife, Stephanie. The other day, I was at the races when she sent me a text and said: ‘I know Benno’s Boy is your number one love’.

“But Stephanie loves him as much as I do. When his racing days are over, he will stay with us and I will use him as a lead pony. He’s just a pleasure to have around the stable.’’