In-form Bengal hunts another city success with Kosciuszko campaign in mind for trainer Luke Pepper

Trainer Luke Pepper believes his relatively new addition is capable of contending for one of NSW country racing’s biggest prizes.

Former Sydney galloper turned rising Canberra talent Bengal can put himself in the frame for the $2m Kosciuszko with another city success at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Luke Pepper is keen to set the bar high with his emerging son of Zoustar, with the gelding winning three of his first four starts for the ACT conditioner.

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Bengal started his career with premier trainer Chris Waller before being snapped up on Inglis Digital for $42,500 by Pepper and his connections in November last year.

The three-year-old won twice in his first preparation for the new yard at Moruya and Sapphire Coast and returned in a similar vein of form with victory in a Highway event at Royal Randwick on June 7.

He steps out second-up in the Quayclean Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) with Brodie Loy in the saddle.

Another great duel! 💥

BENGAL on the inside getting over SHROPSHIRE LAD in race 4 for Luke Pepper and @brodie_loy@tabcomau | @SkyRacingAUpic.twitter.com/I4cUbiFVD1

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) June 7, 2025

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“He has been super for us already and hasn’t put a foot wrong so we were excited for this preparation with him,” Pepper said.

“He started off great with a win the other day so we will see how we go on Saturday.”

Bengal was the subject of an early betting move with the bookies, shortening from $21 into $14 on the opening day of trading.

Bengal (inside) is chasing three straight wins. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images.

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Pepper had also nominated Bengal for the Highway event on the same program but elected to give him his chance in a tougher assignment.

“They are only three once and we had him in the Highway as well but he had the 61.5kg,” Pepper said.

“We thought this was the better option for him. The question mark for us is the 1300m second-up but all the signs he is showing us at home is that it shouldn’t be an issue.

“It’s a good time and he is a horse that we thought could probably get to a Kosciuszko.

“We got him back now to hopefully build his profile up and get him in people’s eyes and hopefully he can do it on Saturday.”

The Kosciusko is run on The Everest day at Royal Randwick on October 18.

Originally published as In-form Bengal hunts another city success with Kosciuszko campaign in mind for trainer Luke Pepper