Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Benji, who managed one win and two placings from eight New Zealand starts, has exceeded expectations for trainer and part-owner Nathan Turvey.
He celebrated his third appearance at Gloucester Park with an impressive all-the-way win in the Group 3 $50,000 APG Harness Racing Is Our Focus Chandon Classic for four-year-olds on Friday night.
“Benji was a cheap horse, a $30,000 buy, and he has done a great job for us,” said Turvey.
Benji, the $2.50 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, set the pace for Gary Hall Jnr, and after an easy time in front with a slow lead time of 39.3sec. and opening quarters of 31.2sec. and 30.3sec., he dashed over the final 400m sections in 27.3sec. and 28.4sec. and won by a length from the $2.70 second fancy Street Hawk, who finished strongly from fifth at the bell.
“When the WA Derby came around last year he had couple of foot issues, so we missed the classic,” said Turvey. “He then performed well on country tracks and won the Pinjarra Horse of the Year award.”
Benji now boasts a splendid WA record of 16 starts for ten wins and five placings, and will be one of the fancies for the $50,000 Preux Chevalier Classic on March 24.
Benji is by former star New Zealand pacer Highview Tommy (104 starts for 17 wins, 27 placings and stakes of $990,015) and is the tenth foal out of Lynne Falcon, who had 33 starts for five wins, five placings and $41,547.