Latest news with #Benagil
Courier-Mail
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Glen Thompson weighs up Q22 back-up for luckless Queensland Oaks placegetter Benagil
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Flemington trainer Glen Thompson will make a decision on Wednesday on whether gifted filly Benagil will back-up for Saturday's $1.2m Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm. Thompson believes Benagil was unlucky not to win last Saturday's Queensland Oaks (2200m) feature after getting caught behind horses in the straight before making a late charge under Mark Zahra. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! She ended up finishing third, less than a length behind the Kris Lees-trained You Wahng and Godolphin's runner Pinito. 'I'll make a decision on Wednesday morning,' Thompson said. 'She's licked the bin out ever since the Oaks and seemed nice and bright this morning (Monday). 'I always had in the back of my mind that if she won (the Oaks) then I'd look at running her in the Q22. 'She should've won so I guess there's no reason not to give her a chance and I don't think it's an overly strong year for it (the Q22). 'Even Mark (Zahra) said she should've won by a length or two. It's frustrating because they're hard races to win and she'll never get another chance in an Oaks again. 'She just needs to give us a sign that she doesn't need to back up. 'She was going to go for a break this week but one more week isn't going to hurt.' • Grafterburners primed for JJ Atkins decider against Cool Archie It would be hard to knock back a chance to contest the weight-for-age Q22, won last year by Fawkner Park, given the winner's cheque is a massive $720,000. Thompson said Craig Williams would ride in the Q22 if he decided that the Australasian Oaks winner Benagil would race on Saturday. 'She'll then have five or six weeks in the paddock up here (in Brisbane) and she'll come back for a couple of runs for the tail end of spring,' he said. Thompson said Benagil would go second-up into the $1m Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 1. Originally published as Trainer Glen Thompson weighing up Q22 back-up for filly Benagil
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Glen Thompson weighing up Q22 back-up for filly Benagil
Flemington trainer Glen Thompson will make a decision on Wednesday on whether gifted filly Benagil will back up for Saturday's $1.2m Q22 over 2200m at Eagle Farm. Thompson believes Benagil was unlucky not to win last Saturday's Queensland Oaks (2200m) feature after getting caught behind horses in the straight before making a late charge under Mark Zahra. She ended up finishing third, less than a length behind the Kris Lees-trained You Wahng and Godolphin's runner Pinito. 'I'll make a decision on Wednesday morning,' Thompson said. 'She's licked the bin out ever since the Oaks and seemed nice and bright this morning (Monday). 'I always had in the back of my mind that if she won (the Oaks) then I'd look at running her in the Q22. 'She should've won so I guess there's no reason not to give her a chance and I don't think it's an overly strong year for it (the Q22). 'Even Mark (Zahra) said she should've won by a length or two. It's frustrating because they're hard races to win and she'll never get another chance in an Oaks again. 'She just needs to give us a sign that she doesn't need to back up. 'She was going to go for a break this week but one more week isn't going to hurt.' Calling for the win! ðŸ'² You Wahng takes the G1 Queensland Oaks for @Leesracing and @TommyBerry21! @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 It would be hard to knock back a chance to contest the weight-for-age Q22, won last year by Fawkner Park, given the winner's cheque is a massive $720,000. Thompson said Craig Williams would ride in the Q22 if he decided that the Australasian Oaks winner Benagil would race on Saturday. 'She'll then have five or six weeks in the paddock up here (in Brisbane) and she'll come back for a couple of runs for the tail end of spring,' he said. Thompson said Benagil would go second-up into the $1m Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 1.
Courier-Mail
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
2025 Queensland Oaks: Benagil recovered and back on track
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Glen Thompson says Group 1 winner Benagil has recovered well from some minor lacerations when she 'ran up their arses' last start and he feels she is still the horse they all have to beat in Saturday's Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Benagil is the benchmark for Saturday's Oaks at Eagle Farm, having already won the Group 1 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide and boasting a Group 1 runner-up finish behind superstar filly Treasurethe Moment during the Sydney autumn carnival. But a spanner was thrown in the works of best laid Queensland Oaks plans when Benagil finished 10th, beaten seven lengths, in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 23. She pulled up with some cuts on her front and back legs but, after watching her have a spin around Eagle Farm on Tuesday, Flemington trainer Thompson declared his filly cherry ripe for an Oaks (2200m) tilt. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'Taking out that last run, she has got the best form in the race,' Thompson said. 'She has been racing against the best fillies and she ran second to probably the best three-year-old filly in the country (Treasurethe Moment) three starts ago in Sydney. 'If she brings her A game, I think she's going to be the horse to beat in the Oaks. 'You just need to put a line through her last run. 'She's also going to be a lot better going to the big Eagle Farm track and whatever track conditions she gets won't worry her.' * 'It jeopardises the Stradbroke': Benedetta back-up gamble Benagil started the $3.50 favourite in the Group 2 The Roses on May 24 but wasn't a factor behind the David Vandyke-trained Philia, who scored her fourth consecutive victory and rocketed to Oaks favouritism. But Thompson detailed why it was a total forget run for Benagil. 'Last start was a very messy race, she got back in behind the wrong horses and ran up their arses,' he said. 'She just got dragged out of the race at the wrong time when she needed to be building into the race. 'It was a hard watch and not good to see heading into a Group 1 race. 'She pulled up with a few cuts on her front and back legs, just superficial stuff. 'But she seems really good now and I'm really happy with her heading to Saturday. 'If she can bring her best form to Saturday, she is right in the mix. 'She is better ridden quiet in the second half of the field, back out of trouble. 'We will try to ride her like the best horse in the race and hopefully she shows she is.' * 'You'll see the best of her Saturday': Vandyke's warning to Oaks rivals Benagil was the filly who gave Thompson his first Group 1 win in his own right. He trained in partnership with Melbourne Cup-winning legend Mike Moroney until Moroney's tragic passing in late February. Originally published as Benagil recovered and back on track for Group 1 Queensland Oaks tilt for trainer Glen Thompson
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Benagil recovered and back on track for Group 1 Queensland Oaks tilt for trainer Glen Thompson
Glen Thompson says Group 1 winner Benagil has recovered well from some minor lacerations when she 'ran up their arses' last start and he feels she is still the horse they all have to beat in Saturday's Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Benagil is the benchmark for Saturday's Oaks at Eagle Farm, having already won the Group 1 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide and boasting a Group 1 runner-up finish behind superstar filly Treasurethe Moment during the Sydney autumn carnival. But a spanner was thrown in the works of best laid Queensland Oaks plans when Benagil finished 10th, beaten seven lengths, in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 23. She pulled up with some cuts on her front and back legs but, after watching her have a spin around Eagle Farm on Tuesday, Flemington trainer Thompson declared his filly cherry ripe for an Oaks (2200m) tilt. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'Taking out that last run, she has got the best form in the race,' Thompson said. 'She has been racing against the best fillies and she ran second to probably the best three-year-old filly in the country (Treasurethe Moment) three starts ago in Sydney. 'If she brings her A game, I think she's going to be the horse to beat in the Oaks. 'You just need to put a line through her last run. 'She's also going to be a lot better going to the big Eagle Farm track and whatever track conditions she gets won't worry her.' WATCH: Ahead of Saturday's Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks, Benagil's trainer Glen Thompson tells @bendorries76 that his filly has recovered from some minor lacerations sustained in the Group 2 The Roses last start. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 2, 2025 * 'It jeopardises the Stradbroke': Benedetta back-up gamble Benagil started the $3.50 favourite in the Group 2 The Roses on May 24 but wasn't a factor behind the David Vandyke -trained Philia, who scored her fourth consecutive victory and rocketed to Oaks favouritism. But Thompson detailed why it was a total forget run for Benagil. 'Last start was a very messy race, she got back in behind the wrong horses and ran up their arses,' he said. 'She just got dragged out of the race at the wrong time when she needed to be building into the race. 'It was a hard watch and not good to see heading into a Group 1 race. 'She pulled up with a few cuts on her front and back legs, just superficial stuff. 'But she seems really good now and I'm really happy with her heading to Saturday. 'If she can bring her best form to Saturday, she is right in the mix. 'She is better ridden quiet in the second half of the field, back out of trouble. 'We will try to ride her like the best horse in the race and hopefully she shows she is.' Benagil was the filly who gave Thompson his first Group 1 win in his own right. He trained in partnership with Melbourne Cup -winning legend Mike Moroney until Moroney's tragic passing in late February.
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Trainer David Vandyke's assessment of his star Philia is frightening for her 2025 Queensland Oaks rivals
'I would say you'll see the best of her on Saturday.' Trainer David Vandyke 's assessment of his star Philia is frightening for her Queensland Oaks rivals as the super talented filly is primed to cap a dream campaign in the Group 1 for three-year-olds over 2200m at Eagle Farm on Saturday. To be ridden by top jockey Kerrin McEvoy, Philia will be shooting for her fifth straight triumph in the major on Saturday after a meteoric rise that prompted bookmakers to install her as the $3 favourite in the Oaks. Group 1 Australasian Oaks champion Benagil ($5) is on the next line from Jenni's Meadow ($6), Churchill's Choice and Movin Out (both $8). • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'From the time I got her as a yearling, the plan was always to end up at the Queensland Oaks,' said Vandyke, who won the major with Gypsy Goddess three years ago. 'For this girl to go from a maiden at the start of this prep and us not really knowing to what level she could climb … it would be wonderful to win an Oaks with her. 'When she goes out for a break next week, irrespective of what happens on Saturday, it'll be a good time for reflection. 'I can sit back and look at the pedigree page, I can watch the replays and I can really appreciate what's happened during this period.' But it hasn't all been smooth sailing for Sunshine Coast trainer Vandyke, who said the daughter of All Too Hard – a half-sister to Duais, who won the 2021 Queensland Oaks for trainer Ed Cummings – could be as stubborn as a mule at times. Philia dominates Race 7 at Eagle Farm for @vandykeracing13! @KPMcEvoy — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025 • 'This girl's had very little time off in 12 months and she's been difficult to train,' he said. 'She's got a very strong will and it hasn't always been focused on running. 'Even now I'll take her down to the pool for a walk and if she doesn't want to do something or she wants to go at her pace, then there has to be a compromise. 'She can get a bit resentful if she's not respected or managed well.' That stubborn attitude is why Philia, with four wins and two runner-up finishes from just six races, has an iron will to win and an ability to soak up pressure from her rivals. Those traits shone through brightly in her last-start victory in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) on May 24 at Doomben when she was softened up in the run but still kicked on to beat the fast-finishing Jenni's Meadow and Movin Out. . @KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 'She's the sort of horse you dream about, I couldn't be happier with her,' Vandyke said. 'With her pattern of racing, she can create the tempo. 'The other day (in The Roses) the fastest furlong was between the 1800m and the 1600m. 'She can really handle pressure and she's got that will to win when she gets taken on. 'She'll just pin the ears and keep going. I was delighted with her effort because she didn't do it easy.' Queensland Derby (2400m) and Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) to be rescheduled.
