Trainer Jason Warren will run star mare Benedetta in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup ahead of 2025 Stradbroke Handicap tilt

Trainer Jason Warren will roll the dice on his star mare Benedetta this Saturday by running her in Saturday’s rescheduled Kingsford Smith Cup ahead of a Stradbroke Handicap tilt.

Jamie Kah rides Benedetta to victory in the Group 1 The Goodwood at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kankeko

Victorian trainer Jason Warren will roll the dice and run his star mare Benedetta in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup before backing up in the Stradbroke Handicap just seven days later.

The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) was meant to be contested last Saturday but heavy rain at Eagle Farm forced several races to be rescheduled to Wednesday and this weekend.

Warren admitted that the decision could hurt his Stradbroke hopes but with Brisbane’s fickle weather this year, he didn’t want to risk five-year-old Benedetta running on a heavy track at Eagle Farm on June 14 in Brisbane’s premier race.

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“It jeopardises the Stradbroke without any shadow of a doubt but there’s a good week of weather and we probably have to take it while we’ve got it,” Warren said on Monday.

“I’d hate to wait a week and end up on a heavy track in the Stradbroke.

“We’ve got a horse ready to go and win a Group 1 and if we get a decent surface then I think we’ve got to take it.

“She’s in great order, apart from having to spend four hours at the races last Saturday for no reason.”

"Jamie Kah gets another Group 1 in South Australia."

Benedetta gets a well-deserved G1 victory for @WarrenRacing 🧡 @jamieleekah07pic.twitter.com/mVFuIgBEGa

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 11, 2024

• Pride’s plea: ‘What about the Kingsford Smith Cup horses?’

Two-time major winner Joliestar is the $3 favourite for the Kingsford Smith Cup ahead of Giga Kick ($5) and Benedetta ($8.50).

William Reid Stakes runner-up Benedetta hasn’t raced since finishing fourth as a $4.80 chance in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 17 behind Sunshine In Paris, Queensland warhorse Rothfire and Payline.

The Joe Pride-trained veteran gelding Private Eye will bypass the Kingsford Smith Cup to focus on the 1400m Stradbroke.

The 2021 Group 1 Epsom Handicap winner is a $21 chance in the Stradbroke, won last year by Stefi Magnetica.

Last-start Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) winner Bosustow will contest the rescheduled Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday, giving the Rob and Annabel Archibald-trained colt a 10-day lead-up to the Stradbroke, where he and Benedetta are $10 chances.

Originally published as Trainer Jason Warren will run star mare Benedetta in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup ahead of 2025 Stradbroke Handicap tilt