Trainer Glen Thompson declares flying filly in great shape for Queensland Oaks tilt

Australasian Oaks winner Benagil has convinced trainer Glen Thompson to continue her stellar campaign in Queensland.

Australasian Oaks winner Benagil will now be set for the Queensland Oaks. Picture: Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Trainer Glen Thompson says his recent Australasian Oaks victory with Benagil is “a bit of blur” but he will now put the Queensland Oaks into sharp focus after confirming his high-flying filly will head to Brisbane for the $700,000 Group 1 race next month.

Thompson said last week he would make a decision on whether Benagil would compete in the Queensland winter carnival after the dust had settled on her epic victory in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) in Adelaide on April 26.

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But the Flemington-based trainer declared the daughter of Manhattan Rain was in “great shape” and would fly to Brisbane on May 20 and race in the Group 2 $300,000 The Roses (2000m) for 3YO fillies at Doomben four days later.

Then it will be onwards to the Queensland Oaks (2200m) on June 7 at Eagle Farm, with top jockey Mark Zahra to stay on after his Australasian Oaks success at Morphettville.

“She’s come through the run great,” Thompson said about the emotional triumph, just two months after the passing of his former training partner Michael Moroney.

“We came back to Melbourne the day after and she’s licked the bin out the whole time.

“She hasn’t left an oat since the race so she’s in great shape.

“It was a great weekend. It’s all a bit of a blur to be honest. There was a lot going on at the time but I’ve watched the video a few times since then and it’s a day I’ll never forget.”

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It’s been a tumultuous season for Thompson, whose future was in limbo last month when it was announced that Ballymore Stables, where he worked as an assistant trainer, would be absorbed by Lindsay Park.

But fortunately Thompson has secured 20 boxes at Flemington as a trainer in his own right and he gets to keep Benagil in his stable.

"WHAT A QUALITY FILLY."

Benagil wins the Australasian Oaks. The first Group 1 for Glen Thompson as a solo trainer after the passing of Mike Moroney. 😇 pic.twitter.com/NFlLnZXdl9

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 26, 2025

TAB has posted Benagil as the $4.50 equal favourite for the Queensland Oaks alongside the Nathan Doyle-trained Churchill’s Choice, with Belle Detelle ($6) and $8 chances Femminile, Philia and Verona Rose on the next line.

“At this stage she’ll definitely head up to Queensland, she’s booked to fly up on the 20th (of May),” Thompson said about Benagil.

“At this stage we’re very happy with her and she’s definitely heading in that direction.”

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Thompson said Benagil, who has earned more than $1.1m in prizemoney and delivered the trainer’s first Group 1, was a dream filly to train.

“She’s got a great attitude, she’s very straightforward, quiet and loves her work,” he said.

“She’s tough too. I wish I had five more like her. She’s been to Sydney and back (to Melbourne), Adelaide and back, and it hasn’t worried her one bit.

“It’s unbelievable how she seems to have thrived off the travel so far.”

Meanwhile, trainer Bjorn Baker said his gun sprinter Overpass was on track to compete in the Group 1 $1.5m Doomben 10,000 (1200m), with Josh Parr to ride, on Saturday week after losing his The Quokka crown in Perth late last month.

“He’s going well,” Baker said.

“He’s going to have a good gallop tomorrow (Tuesday) and we’ll look at getting him up there for that (the Doomben 10,000) for sure.

“He’s had a good preparation. It didn’t quite work out in Perth as we’d hoped but he was very good in the TJ Smith (runner-up to Briasa on April 5 at Randwick) so if he runs up to that he’s a good chance.”

Originally published as Trainer Glen Thompson declares flying filly in great shape for Queensland Oaks tilt