Benagil chasing history in The Roses

By Glenn Davis

Fresh from claiming his maiden Group 1 win with Benagil in the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide, Melbourne trainer Glen Thompson is hoping for more history making moments during the Queensland Racing Carnival.

Thompson has given the green light for Benagil to line-up in the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben on Saturday after the filly arrived safely following her flight from Melbourne on Wednesday.

Benagil is being aimed at the Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on June 7 and if successful will become only the second filly to claim the Australasian and Queensland Oaks double.

The Chris Waller-trained Egg Tart completed the double in 2017.

Benagil, who will race in her fourth state in two months in The Roses, is also aiming to become the first Australasian Oaks-winning filly to win The Roses.

Thompson has declared Benagil to be in fine order and is confident she can cement her place as the $3 favourite for the Queensland Oaks.

“She’s in great shape and I was pleased with her jump-out last Thursday here in Melbourne,” Thompson said.

“She’s 575kgs and has thrived on racing and has settled in well since arriving in Queensland.

“I’ve never seen a horse like her and it’s going to take a good one to beat her.”

Thompson has been on a rollercoaster ride over the past month or so following the decision by Ballymore Stables to be absorbed by Lindsay Park.

The Melbourne conditioner was an assistant trainer for Ballymore and was relieved when it was approved Benagil would stay in his care at his Flemington stables where he has acquired 20 boxes.

A fourth-generation trainer, Thompson is the son of former leading Sydney trainer Vic Thompson.

Thompson's brother John is currently one of Sydney’s top trainers.

He also had a brief stint working for Michael Freedman when he trained in Singapore and was an assistant trainer with the late Mike Moroney before he passed away in February.

“I’ve been involved with horses most of my life since I started working for Dad when I was 11,” Thompson said.

“I ran the stable at Canungra for John for a while and I trained by myself for about 18 months at Eagle Farm.”

Thompson is undecided about Benagil’s future past the winter carnival.

“She’ll definitely go for a decent break after the Queensland Oaks and she might come back for one or two races towards the end of the spring,” he said.