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The Australian
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
What the jockeys said: 2025 Australasian Oaks
Flemington conditioner Glen Thompson got the biggest win of his training career when Benagil took out the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Thompson recently took over the reins in his own right after his former training partner, New Zealand Racing Hall Of Famer Mike Moroney, passed away in February. Benagil put the writing on the wall at his previous start when second to Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes during the Sydney carnival. The daughter of Manhattan Rain appreciated a strongly run race, coming from well back to defeat one of the outsiders, Sweltering and the well supported Polymnia. Benagil's win was her fourth from 10 starts and took her earnings to more than $1.1 million. The three-year-old filly was ridden by Mark Zahra. This is what the riders thought of their mount's performance in the Australasian Oaks. 1st – BENAGIL (Mark Zahra) I was just smoking the pipe, looking at what was going on. I was very happy with the tempo, and I think if you could have been on any horse at the 600 (metres) was me. I was just jogging. In these staying races, I don't like to disappoint them for too long. You've got to let them go when they're ready to go. I waited until we got them a straight, let her rip, and she had them a long way out and did a good job. 2nd – SWELTERING (Ethan Brown) Outstanding. She was suited by a good speed, she hit a bit of a flat spot around the corner, I just had to guide her through that but when she straightened she stayed on really well and good to get a Group 1 placing. 3rd – POLYMNIA (Jamie Melham) Very good run. If she drew a gate it would've been interesting, she just had a lot of horses stopping in front of her and had to wait and wait for a run, only got out late. If she drew a barrier it would've been very interesting. 4th – CAVITY BAY (Harry Coffey) Super run, we just got held up and crowded around the home bend and it probably cost her running second but I thought she went super and she ran really well. 5th – MOVIN OUT (Ben Melham) Ran well, had to give a big start away from the draw to receive protection from the wind. From the 700 (metres) we found the back of the eventual winner, crept into the race doing no work, probably just the back up within a week but she's a nice mare moving forward. 6th – PELEVECCHIO (Jacob Opperman) She ran well. It was just a matter of finding the gaps at the top of the straight which she did. It was a game effort. 7th – FEMMINILE (Thomas Stockdale) She jumped well, we had her closer today. Ideally I would've liked to have been a pair closer on the back of some better runners but we had to pinch runs where we could. She ran home strong but she'll appreciate the extra 500 (metres) when she gets it. 8th – WOLFESS (Jamie Mott) She gave me a real glimpse of hope there straightening up when she hit the front. Bit immature, blinkers will help her. 9th – COMANCHE MISS (Lachlan Neindorf) Got into a lovely spot from the barrier, relaxed, travelled beautifully underneath me, probably struggled to see out the 2000, needs another prep to develop. 10th – TOO DARN LIZZIE (Blake Shinn) Beaten at the turn, doesn't run 2000 (metres). 11th – BEAUTIFUL JEWEL (Ben Price) It was an honest run. She had a lovely run in transit, just when the pressure came on she probably didn't see out the 2000 (metres), she'll be a lovely miler next time around. 12th – ALL KINDS OF FOLK (Blaike McDougall) Not her day today. She travelled into it like, I thought, the winner, but once I placed her under pressure she just didn't find so hopefully she pulls up okay. 13th – GIORGI (Daniel Stackhouse) Just outclassed. 14th – HORIZONS (Todd Pannell) Just had to go back from the wide gate and she had too big a task. 15th – PHENOM (Rochelle Milnes (a)) Probably just struggled to get that 2000 (metres) today. 16th – CINCH (Celine Gaudray) There's a soundness issue going on there, she's pulled up lame, so I hope the team can get her back.
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 Australasian Oaks
Flemington conditioner Glen Thompson got the biggest win of his training career when Benagil took out the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Thompson recently took over the reins in his own right after his former training partner, New Zealand Racing Hall Of Famer Mike Moroney, passed away in February. Benagil put the writing on the wall at his previous start when second to Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes during the Sydney carnival. The daughter of Manhattan Rain appreciated a strongly run race, coming from well back to defeat one of the outsiders, Sweltering and the well supported Polymnia. "WHAT A QUALITY FILLY." Benagil wins the Australasian Oaks. The first Group 1 for Glen Thompson as a solo trainer after the passing of Mike Moroney. 😇 — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 26, 2025 Benagil's win was her fourth from 10 starts and took her earnings to more than $1.1 million. The three-year-old filly was ridden by Mark Zahra. This is what the riders thought of their mount's performance in the Australasian Oaks. 1st – BENAGIL (Mark Zahra) I was just smoking the pipe, looking at what was going on. I was very happy with the tempo, and I think if you could have been on any horse at the 600 (metres) was me. I was just jogging. In these staying races, I don't like to disappoint them for too long. You've got to let them go when they're ready to go. I waited until we got them a straight, let her rip, and she had them a long way out and did a good job. 2nd – SWELTERING (Ethan Brown) Outstanding. She was suited by a good speed, she hit a bit of a flat spot around the corner, I just had to guide her through that but when she straightened she stayed on really well and good to get a Group 1 placing. 3rd – POLYMNIA (Jamie Melham) Very good run. If she drew a gate it would've been interesting, she just had a lot of horses stopping in front of her and had to wait and wait for a run, only got out late. If she drew a barrier it would've been very interesting. 4th – CAVITY BAY (Harry Coffey) Super run, we just got held up and crowded around the home bend and it probably cost her running second but I thought she went super and she ran really well. 5th – MOVIN OUT (Ben Melham) Ran well, had to give a big start away from the draw to receive protection from the wind. From the 700 (metres) we found the back of the eventual winner, crept into the race doing no work, probably just the back up within a week but she's a nice mare moving forward. 6th – PELEVECCHIO (Jacob Opperman) She ran well. It was just a matter of finding the gaps at the top of the straight which she did. It was a game effort. 7th – FEMMINILE (Thomas Stockdale) She jumped well, we had her closer today. Ideally I would've liked to have been a pair closer on the back of some better runners but we had to pinch runs where we could. She ran home strong but she'll appreciate the extra 500 (metres) when she gets it. 8th – WOLFESS (Jamie Mott) She gave me a real glimpse of hope there straightening up when she hit the front. Bit immature, blinkers will help her. 9th – COMANCHE MISS (Lachlan Neindorf) Got into a lovely spot from the barrier, relaxed, travelled beautifully underneath me, probably struggled to see out the 2000, needs another prep to develop. 10th – TOO DARN LIZZIE (Blake Shinn) Beaten at the turn, doesn't run 2000 (metres). 11th – BEAUTIFUL JEWEL (Ben Price) It was an honest run. She had a lovely run in transit, just when the pressure came on she probably didn't see out the 2000 (metres), she'll be a lovely miler next time around. 12th – ALL KINDS OF FOLK (Blaike McDougall) Not her day today. She travelled into it like, I thought, the winner, but once I placed her under pressure she just didn't find so hopefully she pulls up okay. 13th – GIORGI (Daniel Stackhouse) Just outclassed. 14th – HORIZONS (Todd Pannell) Just had to go back from the wide gate and she had too big a task. 15th – PHENOM (Rochelle Milnes (a)) Probably just struggled to get that 2000 (metres) today. 16th – CINCH (Celine Gaudray) There's a soundness issue going on there, she's pulled up lame, so I hope the team can get her back.
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Benagil gives trainer his first Group 1 win in the Australasian Oaks
Flemington conditioner Glen Thompson got the biggest win of his training career when Benagil took out the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Thompson recently took over the reins in his own right after his former training partner, New Zealand Racing Hall Of Famer Mike Moroney, passed away in February. Benagil put the writing on the wall at his previous start when second to Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes during the Sydney carnival. The daughter of Manhattan Rain appreciated a strongly run race, coming from well back to defeat one of the outsiders, Sweltering and the well supported Polymnia. "WHAT A QUALITY FILLY." Benagil wins the Australasian Oaks. The first Group 1 for Glen Thompson as a solo trainer after the passing of Mike Moroney. 😇 — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 26, 2025 Benagil's win was her fourth from 10 starts and took her earnings to more than $1.1 million. The three-year-old filly was ridden by Mark Zahra.
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Victorian trainer Matt Laurie bags fourth consecutive win in Sydney with Miss Icelandic at Randwick
Mornington trainer Matt Laurie has forgotten how to lose on Sydney racetracks. After plundering the Sydney autumn carnival with three Group 1 wins from as many starters, Laurie struck again with Miss Icelandic in the Jeff Pendlebury Handicap (1000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Miss Icelandic's jockey Chad Schofield summed it up best when he said, 'Matt goes good in Sydney.' Laurie wasn't on track for Miss Icelandic's win but Schofield said after talking tactics with the trainer on Saturday morning, he was more confident about the mare's chances. 'When I spoke to Matt he said the mare was going really well,'' Schofield said. 'The race looked to map well for us on paper and it worked out exactly as we though with the favourite (Zealously) three-wide and Miss Icelandic settling on the outside of the leader, Passeggiata. 'I knew where Zealously was, I was happy he was three-wide, and I thought at the 300m we had the race pretty well sewn up. 'But credit to the leader, she gave a good kick and my mare had to dig deep but she always felt like the winner.'' Miss Icelandic ($10) wore down Passeggiata ($3.10) to win by a half-neck with Zealously ($2.20 favourite) fading late for third, beaten two lengths. Laurie has had a remarkable run of success in Sydney this autumn with his wonder filly bagging a Group 1 double in the Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks. Miss Icelandic wears down a game Passeggiata to win Race 4 at Randwick! @SchofieldChad @mattlaurierace â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 The trainer's top two-year-old Vinrock capped an unbeaten debut season when he won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. Miss Icelandic also kept Laurie's perfect Sydney autumn race record intact with the trainer preparing four winners from as many starters. Laurie is considering setting Miss Icelandic for the likely to aim Miss Icelandic at the Listed $200,000 Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 17. Scone is also a likely next start for Les Vampires after his resolute win in the Tom Bingle Handicap (1800m). A clever Adam Hyeronimus ride paved the way for Les Vampires ($6) to edge out Zaphod ($7) by a neck with Miracle Spin ($10) one-and-a-quarter lengths away third. Favoured duo Flying Bandit ($3.20 favourite) and Saganti ($3.60) seemed to have their chance before finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Les Vampires relishes the 1800m and wins Race 5 at Randwick! ðŸ'° @GaiWaterhouse1 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 Flying Bandit ran on without really threatening the placegetters while the heavily-backed Saganti settled on speed but faded under pressure. With trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott overseas, Tulloch Lodge stable representative Neil Paine said Les Vampires is a chance to line up in the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) next month. 'The worry was the 1800m, there was a question mark if he would get the trip but Adam Hyeronimu rode him a treat – the ride won the race,'' Paine said. 'He's a nice, little horse, he tries every race and he's a good money-spinner. I think Gai and Adrian might even look at testing the horse over 2000m now.'' Les Vampires, a four-year-old son of champion Pierro, has proven an astute investment since being purchased for $200,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale three years ago. His Randwick win was his fourth win from 12 starts, taking his career earnings to nearly $340,000. â– â– â– â– â– Sunrise first then daylight Sunrise, the topical tip for the Anzac Day long weekend, put daylight between herself and the chasing pack with a stunning display of sustained speed at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Trainer Mitchell Beer is considering setting Sunrise for a stakes race next start after her runaway win in the Midway Handicap (1100m). Beer said Sunrise is one of the fastest horses he has trained but the filly has needed to learn how to harness her sheer speed. 'Last preparation, we knew how fast she was and how good she was but she just wasn't physically or mentally ready,'' Beer explained. 'All she wanted to do in her trackwork and races was bolt so we had to teach her to settle.'' Sunrise goes whooshka! Way too good in Race 2 at Randwick. @MitchBeerRacing @RachelK11 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 Sunrise has obviously learned her 'lessons' well as she resumed with a brilliant all-the-way win at Kembla Grange by more than seven lengths, dashing over the 1000m in 55.58sec, a new course record. Jockey Rachel King used similar frontrunning tactics on Sunrise ($1.80 favourite) and gave her backers no cause for concern winning by a widening margin of nearly three lengths form Oakfield Badger ($8.50) with Everyone's A Star ($5.50) close up in third placing. 'Sunrise is very fast but it's funny, she doesn't feel like she is going at a silly speed because she has such a naturally big stride,'' King said. 'They have done a good job to teach her to race sensibly. I gave her a squeeze early then she came back underneath me and gave a good kick in the straight.'' Sunrise, who is by Charm Spirit out of Daily At Dawn, had a head start in life of being born and raised at Windsor Park in New Zealand in the same paddocks as past alumni including champions Might And Power and So You Think. Originally sold for $30,000 at Karaka as a yearling, she was secured by Beer at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $45,000. Beer said he will consider aiming Sunrise at the Listed $200,000 Denise's Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 17.
7NEWS
26-04-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Trainer Glen Thompson lands first Group 1 success with Benagil winning Australasian Oaks
Trainer Glen Thompson has endured a tumultuous season which has been softened with Benagil providing the Flemington-based horseman with his first Group 1 success. Under a calculated ride from proven Group 1 jockey Mark Zahra, Benagil took out the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Thompson had at the start of the 2024-25 season joined Mike Moroney in a training partnership having been his assistant trainer since late 2021. When Moroney died in February, Thompson took over as head trainer of Ballymore Stables at Chicquita Lodge and landed a double at Caulfield, including Benagil in the rich VOBIS Guineas. But the rug was pulled from Thompson's feet a fortnight ago when it was announced Ballymore Stables had been absorbed by the Lindsay Park operation of Ben, Will and J D Hayes. Thompson was thrown a lifeline when given 20 boxes to train out of at Flemington after being lured to Melbourne by Moroney after training previously at Warwick Farm and the Sunshine Coast. 'It's been a tough few weeks, but I've just been trying to focus on today,' Thompson said. 'We got her here in as good an order as we could, and I thought she was spot on today and she raced like it.' Sent out the $3.10 favourite, Benagil scored a 1-¼ length win from $201 outsider Sweltering with Polymnia ($4.60) a short-half-head away third. Thompson said Benagil had shown loads of ability but had taken it to a new level this time in. Benagil made it to Group 1 level last campaign, finishing fifth in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield last November and showed she was on track for Saturday's race by chasing home dual Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on April 1. 'She came back as a three-year-old in the spring and was very unlucky in the Thousand Guineas and those sort of races, and she's just gone to another level this time,' Thompson said. 'There was a little bit of pressure there to stay in Sydney and run in the Oaks, but this was a much better option for her, and she proved us right today. 'It's good to get Mark on, he's one of the best in the land, so I was very lucky to get him on board.' Thompson said Benagil could head to Queensland for the winter, but first he will see how the filly recovers from Saturday's outing. Zahra praised Thompson's handling of Benagil to have the mare so well turned out on Saturday. 'He's a great trainer, Glen,' Zahra said. 'He's had times on his own before and is training by himself now. 'He needs the support, but he's just done a great job with his filly, and she looked fantastic. 'She's gone from Melbourne then to Sydney, then back to here. 'It's a long prep, and you've got to be a good trainer to be able to peak every time. 'She looked great today, and she flogged them.'
