Hong Kong interest in rising Queensland star Benzou sure to skyrocket after Eagle Farm win

Asian buyers may have to dig a little deeper into their pockets for Queensland gun Benzou after his powerful return win at Eagle Farm.

Benzou announces himself as a potential star when winning at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Hong Kong interest is set to intensify in young star Benzou but potential buyers will have to have deep pockets after he blasted to an imposing win at Eagle Farm.

In the lead-up to race day, Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey revealed Asian buyers had been circling but approaches to sell had so far been rebuffed.

Benzou looked a good horse when Healey sent him south to score a Super Maiden at Hawkesbury last October and that was confirmed when he produced a powerful win over 1000m at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

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Official fluctuations showed Benzou had been backed from $6.50 into $5.50 at Eagle Farm, but double figures had been available during the week.

Healey’s only concern heading into the race was that his exciting three-year-old gelding could find the 1000m too slick and he would be running home sharply but find it too hard to reel in the leaders.

Benzou backers weren’t on great terms with themselves early when he was wide and back, with sensationally backed favourite Gin A Tonic ($3.20 into $2.20) getting a cushy run closer to the speed.

But Benzou and jockey Cejay Graham rounded up the opposition and put them away in style.

Healey owns a “decent chunk” of the young gelding who was purchased for $90,000 as a yearling – $70,000 cheaper than his full-sister and Golden Slipper runner Bellazaine who Healey had also tried to buy.

The young trainer, who once trained Alligator Blood, said he would let other owners decide whether to entertain offers to sell Benzou or go full steam ahead towards the Queensland winter carnival.

A big win to Benzou at Eagle Farm - perhaps an omen for Bellazaine in the TAB Golden Slipper, who is his little sister!@BillyHealey3 | @CejayGraham1 | @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/CP4fvz7y5t

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025

“I won’t really get too involved in any negotiations, I do have a good (ownership) percentage of the horse but I will let the rest of the ownership group work things out,” Healey said.

“I will take my percentage of ownership out of the equation and at the end of the day it will all be about what the other owners want to do.

“I have ridden a few good ones at track work and I said before he went to NSW last year that he is one of the best horses that I have sat on.

“To sit wide like he did today but to still be trucking into the race, once he works it all out, 1200 (m) to 1400 (m) won’t be beyond him.”

Meanwhile, the old Knight’s Choice crew was back together when jockey Jaden Lloyd scored on Winsome Star for Melbourne Cup-winning trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon.

Lloyd, the brother of star Sydney jockey Zac, rode 2024 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice earlier in his career including when winning the 2023 Winx Guineas on the Sunshine Coast.

Jaden Lloyd, who spent a period of time riding on the provincial circuit in NSW, has been back in Brisbane recently and making the most of renewed opportunities.

While rivals were making runs down the outside in the Class 1 Plate (1400m), Lloyd zoomed up along the inside on Symons and Laxon-trained Winsome Star ($3.20) who won in dominant fashion.

Originally published as Hong Kong interest in rising Queensland star Benzou sure to skyrocket after Eagle Farm win