Queensland Oaks to be no holiday for Benagil

By Andrew Smith

With the memory of claiming his first Group 1 win as a solo trainer fresh in his mind, Glen Thompson is keen to replicate that feeling again in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks.

His filly Benagil will jump from barrier five in the $700,000 Group 1 event at Eagle Farm, looking to bounce back from a disappointing 10^th-placed finish in the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben last month.

Benagil is named after the popular tourist destination on the southern coast of Portugal - but far from taking a holiday, Thompson was at trackwork with the horse on Tuesday morning.

Speaking at Eagle Farm, Thompson said Benagil had recovered well from the frustrating last-start run.

“She pulled up with a few scrapes and scratches after her last run - it was a bit of a messy run for her, but she bounced through the race really well,” Thompson said.

“She’s been nice and fresh since her run, she’s pretty tough and it didn’t seem to worry her too much.

“I guess probably the only benefit was she didn’t have a gut-buster of a run but pretty happy with where she’s at.

“She had a nice bit of work this morning - she had a bit of a look out there first time out on the course proper here and (jockey) Ryan Wiggins came and galloped for me, and he was really happy.”

Thompson claimed his first Group 1 triumph as a solo trainer when Benagil saluted in the Australasian Oaks at Morphetville in April.

He had previously trained in partnership with Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Mike Moroney, who sadly passed away in his sleep in February this year.

Thompson said the emotions of that day in South Australia were still fresh in his mind.

“It was a very special day – I was going through a bit at the time so all a bit of a blur to be honest,” Thompson said.

“It was something I’ve dreamt about for a long time and it’s an honour to have a horse like her that’s capable to do that.

“Hopefully she can do it again on Saturday.

“It would be awesome to win and show the first one wasn’t a fluke but I think she’s a pretty good filly and I don’t think the one she’s won will be the only one.”

As of Thursday morning, Benagil was second in the line of betting at $5, with Mark Zahra taking the ride in the 2200m event.

The Roses winner Philia is set to jump as favourite at $4.20 but will have to overcome barrier 16 with Kerrin McEvoy on board.

With Benagil’s last three starts coming over 2000m, Thompson expected the extra distance to carry no dramas for the filly.

“I don’t think it’ll worry her, I guess it’s just a bit of the unknown - look she settles well, but I guess we’ll find out on Saturday,” Thompson said.

“Eagle Farm will suit her a lot better, it was always a bit of a concern going to Doomben, and I did toss up going straight from the Australasian Oaks to this Oaks but it was probably just a week too far.”

Saturday’s meeting will also see the running of fellow Group 1 races the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Queensland Derby following last weekend’s postponement.