Full brother of Golden Slipper contender Benzou resumes at Eagle Farm on same day

Billy Healey missed out on buying a filly who will contest the Golden Slipper on Saturday, but on the same day her full brother returns for the Queensland trainer at Eagle Farm.

Billy Healey tried to buy future Golden Slipper contender Bellazaine as a yearling, but has her full brother ready to be unleashed at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

On the same afternoon flying two-year-old filly Bellazaine contests the Slipper for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Sunshine Coast trainer Healey has exciting three-year-old gelding Benzou racing at headquarters in Brisbane.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Healey had put in a bid on Bellazaine at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale but couldn’t match the Waterhouse buying power as the filly went for $160,000.

The trainer paid $90,000 for Benzou a year earlier and initially struggled to sell shares, keeping 30 per cent of the youngster himself.

That now looks a canny investment with Hong Kong buyers circling after Benzou disposed of his opposition when he finished powerfully to collect a Super Maiden with prizemoney bonuses attached at Hawkesbury last October.

Benzou takes the opener at @hawkesburyrc for @RachelK11 and @BillyHealey3! pic.twitter.com/45FIwMhvAV

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 24, 2024

• Janiak back at races for unbeaten sprinter in Takeover Target colours

For the moment, Hong Kong interest has been put on the backburner as Healey and connections consider a potential Queensland winter carnival tilt for Benzou.

“There has been a fair bit of Hong Kong interest in him and that interest is pretty serious, it has got up to a high level,” Healey said.

“But we are putting that aside for the moment and considering what this horse could do in winter.

“He is a full brother to Bellazaine who races in the Golden Slipper on Saturday, I tried to buy Bellazaine but she went for a bit too much.

“When I purchased Benzou as a yearling, I initially struggled to sell shares in him, and kept a fair bit of him myself.”

Bellazaine, who will run in the Golden Slipper on Saturday, was outside of Billy Healey’s price range. Picture: Getty Images

Benzou will line up in the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday where he is rated a $7.50 chance.

From barrier nine, jockey Cejay Graham will drop out the back on Benzou before winding him up in the straight and steaming home.

• EXCLUSIVE: VRC reaches settlement over Jamie Evans abuse claims

Healey, who once trained Alligator Blood, believes Benzou can be a winter carnival contender.

“My only concern on Saturday is whether 1000m will be too short, because this horse definitely wants 1200m,” Healey said.

“We will ride him cold and let him find the line and we will see whether he’s good enough to win on Saturday.

“I really do think he is a carnival horse, but we will find out.”

Benzou resumes on Saturday with the benefit of two trials, including when Graham rode him to score an 800m heat at Eagle Farm on March 13.

Bellazaine, who won the Lonhro Plate in February, is rated a $26 chance in the Golden Slipper.

Originally published as Full brother of Golden Slipper contender Benzou resumes at Eagle Farm on same day