CAUL FEB 06 - BENETEAU BLUE DIAMOND BOUND

By Scott Gooley | Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Caulfield - February 6, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True
Blue Diamond Prelude. (Group 3 - 2yo C & G) -1100m. Time: 1-02.45. (Carrying 55.5kg).
1 Beneteau; 2 General Truce; 3. Thegreatandthegood.

The Paul Messara trained Beneteau has shot to favouritism for the Blue Diamond Stakes with an impressive win in the Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday.

The impeccably bred two year old colt was stepping out only ten days after recording an impressive win on debut at Randwick.

Starting from the inside gate, Beneteau ridden by Daniel Ganderton, made full advantage of his draw to be positioned fifth early, two lengths behind Secession, General Truce and Songspur who were racing three abreast in the lead.

Beneteau was travelling well under Ganderton but as the field began to make the turn for home, and with Pellizotti and Innocent Gamble racing on his immediate outside, the son of Redoute’s Choice was in a precarious position.

As the field straightened, Beneteau was racing on the heels of the leaders, looking for the slightest opening to appear.

That opening came when Songspur, who had raced three wide throughout, began to wilt on his run at the 250m mark. Ganderton steered the colt across the heels of Secession and General Truce and with clear running before him, began to let down with his run.

At the 200m, Beneteau ($4.60) had joined General Truce and shortly after, began to establish a lead that widened with each stride.

On the finishing line, the official margin was two and half lengths over General Truce ($6.00) and a further two and quarter lengths to Thegreatandthegood ($31.00), who finished well from the tail of the field for third.

A beaming Paul Messara said the decision to head south after the colt’s debut win was not a hard one to make.

“We took him home for a trot and a canter and he was bucking his brands off and straight away we thought he came through that race very well and thought he could handle the trip down here and the ten day back up.”

“I’m very excited - fantastic run! Just exciting to see him do it.”

Ganderton suggested that further improvement in the colt was likely.

“He was very impressive. He’s always shown us really good ability but he’s also very raw.”

“He’s still a bit hesitant between horses but he’s got such a great nature that, even though he’s unsure about doing it, when you point him the direction he’ll do it, just because you’ve asked him to. He’d probably run through a brick wall if you asked him to.”

“Every time we put something in front of him, he steps up to it and that’s what the good ones do.”

Beneteau is bred to be a good one. By champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, he is out of the dam Slice of Paradise who is a full sister to former champion sprinter, Alinghi.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
B Rawiller (Gigstar) was fined the sum of $200 under the provisions of AR.175k for his negligence when failing to present himself in the mounting yard to fulfil his engagement to ride Gigstar.

Gigstar was a late scratching at 2.56pm after becoming fractious in the barriers, rearing and breaking through the front of the gates. Mr B Rouge-Serrett, representing the Hayes’ stable, was notified that prior to racing again, Gigstar must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

The explanation tendered by trainer Mr P Messara for failing to have Beneteau on course by the prescribed time was accepted.

Thegreatandthegood was slow to begin. Innocent Gamble shifted in abruptly soon after the start.
Passing the 1000m, Secession (K McEvoy) shifted in before being straightened, however, in doing so, caused some crowding to both Innocent Gamble and Pellizotti. K McEvoy was issued with a severe reprimand for failing to make a greater effort to straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion.

K McEvoy (Secession) explained that given the way the race unfolded in the early stages he had to ride the colt closer than he would have liked and for that reason his mount refused to settle and was beaten on the home turn. K McEvoy added that in his view, Secession is a horse best ridden with more cover.

In the early part of the straight, Beneteau (D Ganderton) had difficulty in obtaining clear running and near the 250m, shifted out from behind General Truce to obtain clear running and in doing so brushed Songspur, which then shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with Pellizotti. D Ganderton was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

N Rawiller (Innocent Gamble) stated that the horse never felt comfortable at any stage. Veterinary examinations of Innocent Gamble and McLoaded revealed both horses to have elevated heart rates.

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