There were some well bred runners at Nowra on Friday, but a debut winner that is a well named half-brother to triple Group I winner Tofane was impossible to go past as a ‘One to Watch’ and continues a purple patch for his Westbury Stud based sire Reliable Man (GB).
Trained by John O’Shea, Benaud became the fourth winner from four foals to race from top producer Baggy Green when he proved too good for race favourite The Rampant, a Snitzel gelding prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Benaud was well ridden by Alysha Collett travelling fifth in the run and then working back to the inside to take a run up the fence to score a strong finishing win.
A $280,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase from the Valachi Downs draft for John O'Shea Racing / Laurel Oak Bloodstock, Benaud has a deep pedigree as his dam Baggy Green is a half-sister to Group I winning mares Youngstar and Funstar, whop are both now headed to stud in Japan.
They were both purchased this year as broodmare prospects by Katumi Yoshida with Youngstar secured for $1.4million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, while Funstar made $2.7million on Ingis Digital.
Benaud looks another progressive three year-old for Reliable Man, who stands at Westbiury stud at a fee of $17,500.
