Search

show me:

Benefit not in doubt at Salisbury

3 minute read

Benefit has a bit to find on the ratings in Salisbury’s British Stallion Studs EBF Cathedral Stakes, but she can use race-fitness and her three-year-old allowance to good effect in the Listed highlight.

Trainer : Mark Johnston
Trainer : Mark Johnston Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Rated 95 after winning two of her five starts to date, Benefit is some 18lb adrift of Nahaarr's official mark and even given her 13lb pull, that still leaves her with quite a challenge if that rival turns up in top form.

However, Benefit has a fitness edge having run twice already this year, finding seven furlongs and Group Three company beyond her on her first start at Newbury before posting a career best when third at Listed level at Haydock.

Beaten two lengths by Sense Of Duty in a fillies' heat, Benefit was given a lot to do and made up notable ground in the final two furlongs before eventually being beaten two lengths in third.

Her rider certainly was not hard on her when it was clear she would not be winning and she certainly looked capable of bettering that effort for trainer Clive Cox.

A slow start did not help Rose Barton last time and she can make amends in the Ford Civil Engineering Fillies' Handicap.

Having shown glimpses of promise in three juvenile runs, she was well supported to make a victorious return to action on her first handicap start at Leicester last month.

However, she was a bit awkward out of the stalls and while she made a bold bid to grab the glory, the vastly more experienced Eponina was two lengths too good at the line.

Rose Barton was stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time that day and seemed to see it out well enough.

World Without Love can get off the mark in the Skopes Lakeside Village Maiden Stakes at Doncaster.

Trained by Charlie and Mark Johnston, this Ulysses filly is a half-sister to the yard's staying stars Subjectivist and Sir Ron Preistley, so there is every reason to think trips in excess of this mile and a half will be her forte in time.

Unsurprisingly she was not quite sharp enough over a mile in a couple of two-year-old outings, while the form of her Wetherby fourth first time out this year was augmented when winner Rogue Millennium went on to strike in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and run in the big race itself.

On the back of that run she was sent off favourite on her handicap bow at Windsor last month, moving up to an extended mile and three furlongs from a mark of 73.

She had to give best to Candy Kitchen, going down by two lengths but finishing comfortably clear of the third.

The handicapper left her mark unchanged so it is interesting the Johnstons have opted to move back to maiden company here.

Brazen Bolt is the choice in the Luxurious Indoor Outdoor Furniture Lakeside Village Handicap after just prevailing at Newmarket on his latest run.

He has been a consistent type for John Quinn, winning four of his last six starts and progressing from a perch of 58 to his current mark of 73.

The head margin of his latest win has resulted in just a 1lb rise, which he can take in his stride.

SELECTIONS:

DONCASTER: 1.37 Brazen Bolt, 2.12 Modern Dancer, 2.47 Sip And Smile, 3.22 World Without Love, 3.57 Ready Freddie Go, 4.32 Golden Duke, 5.07 Clipsham Gold, 5.42 Pepper Arden.

DOWNPATRICK: 1.45 Whisper In Court, 2.20 Superlike, 2.55 Queen Jane, 3.30 Dollar Value, 4.05 Frontline Worker, 4.40 I Am Spider Man, 5.15 Walk In The Brise.

GOWRAN: 1.20 Sierra Blanca, 1.55 Fools Glory, 2.30 Ezine, 3.05 Dunum, 3.40 Pimstrel, 4.15 Urban Oasis, 4.50 Hazy Mehmory, 5.25 Gear Up.

SALISBURY: 2.05 Gun Dog, 2.40 Rose Barton, 3.15 Havana Blue, 3.50 BENEFIT (NAP), 4.25 Infinitive, 5.00 Lady Reset, 5.35 Eddie The Beagle.

DOUBLE: Benefit and World Without Love.


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au