Benedetta could head overseas if she wins Group 1 William Reid Stakes
Interstate and international options will abound for connections if Benedetta bounces back from an unlucky Newmarket Handicap run in Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley.
Winning Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes could be the catalyst for an English excursion for classy mare Benedetta.
Benedetta won the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide in May last year but could tackle top-level targets during the Royal Ascot carnival in June or elsewhere in England in July.
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Trainer Jason Warren said extra travelling assistance provided to overseas horses made the long trek to England a more viable option.
The Mornington trainer said tackling international competition was one option for the five-year-old after Saturday’s $1m assignment.
“Essentially, we’ve got three options. One, to go to Sydney and run in the TJ (Smith), the second option is to go to Adelaide for the Sangster, then there’s always the option to go to England,” Warren said.
“They have put a lot more money behind the event over there now, especially for the horse travel, and there’s a lot bigger incentive.
“That definitely makes it a lot more lucrative.
“When you’re travelling to the other side of the world to run in a race of less value, there’s no point doing it.
“But once they’ve supplemented the travel and everything, you’ve got to factor it in.”
Benedetta was one of nine acceptors for the William Reid Stakes on Tuesday morning.
Warren gave Benedetta her first look at The Valley course since her three-year-old days in a gallop on Tuesday.
He said the daughter of Hellbent, who also won the William Reid Stakes in 2018, had no concerns with The Valley circuit in the gallop.
“It’s been quite some time since she’s been here,” Warren said.
“Her work this morning was not strenuous work for her and she’s recovered very well.
“She was nice and clean in the wind and I’m really happy with how she’s come along.
“She’s here third-up on Saturday and I couldn’t have her any better.”
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The William Reid Stakes will be Benedetta’s third outing of her autumn campaign, which produced a solid third in the Lightning Stakes before a luckless 10th in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
Drawing barrier two made Benedetta’s task extremely difficult while the five-year-old ran out of room when running on late in the Newmarket.
“It was just a car crash really. Such a non-event for an achievable Group 1 and it was a bitter pill to swallow,” Warren said.
“Our first and foremost job is to make sure that the horse is spot on and we couldn’t be happier with her.
“But she’s come through it well and looked to take no harm from it, which is the main thing.”
Jockey Daniel Stackhouse will resume his partnership with Benedetta in the William Reid Stakes.
Originally published as Benedetta could head overseas if she wins Group 1 William Reid Stakes
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