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

Young Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey has revealed offers around the $1m mark have rolled in to buy new Queensland star Benzou after he blasted to an imposing win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

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

Young Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey has revealed offers around the $1m mark have rolled in to buy new Queensland star Benzou after he blasted to an imposing win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

In the lead-up to race day, Healey said 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.

It is understood there had been Hong Kong offers around the $800,000 mark after that Hawkesbury win, but offers have now been bumped up to the seven-figure mark.

It is an intriguing decision for Healey and other connections – whether to take the money, or push on and race what looks to be one of the most promising young horses in the Sunshine State.

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On Saturday, official fluctuations showed Benzou had been backed from $6.50 into $5.50 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 a decision on Benzou’s potential sale would be left to the horse’s other owners.

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.

WINSOME STAR bursts through the gap and powers home! A top ride from @JadenLloyd10, teaming up with the @SymonsLaxon stable! 🚀🔥 #QLDisRacingpic.twitter.com/cDgFoUz7nQ

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) March 22, 2025

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, 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