Charlie in charge in Sunshine State

By Jordan Gerrans

Just days after his maiden Group 3 triumph in Dubai, Englishman Charlie Bennett has landed in Australia with a determination towards making an impact on the local racing scene.

The 31-year-old has been a stable rider for the powerful Godolphin camp in the Middle East in recent years as well as regularly riding for leading trainer Charlie Appleby. 

Bennett was first interested in riding in Australia before the pandemic hit the world, which put the idea on the backburner.

In recent campaigns he has ridden throughout the Middle East as well as back home in Europe.

Bennett got his first taste of Australian racing with two engagements at Dalby on Saturday afternoon.

“I've always had Australia in my mind and this year I thought I just need to do it,” Bennett said.

“It's worked out good because I know fellow jockey Fred Larson and I am good friends with Fred.

“Everything's just sort of aligned for me to come at this time.

“I've just booked a one-way ticket to be here, hopefully this is where we stay as I've no intention to leave and just kick on really.

“I know a few people that have come before and there seems to be a lot of opportunities here.

“I've ridden in quite a few different places internationally and you always learn different things when you go to these different places.

“There's always things to pick up from the way every jurisdiction seems to differently and I just thought that would be a different angle of riding to come out here.”

There has been an influx of European riders descending on Queensland in recent months including Harrison Shaw, Damien Boche and Larson, among others. 

During Bennett’s time in Dubia, he spent three years working for Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor before linking up with Appleby in the most recent campaign. 

He grabbed his greatest victory in his time in Dubai at his last meeting when he scored aboard filly Turquoise in a Group 3 event at Meydan for trainer Abdallah Al Hammadi.

Ironically, Bennett was only able to ride in the feature race because of flight cancellations from the Middle East to Australia as he was set to leave earlier than Wednesday of last week.

“I rode the odd winner for Godolphin over the last few years but was my best winner in Dubai,” he said.

“I now come over this season to Australia coming in off the back of a good little stretch.

“Hopefully we just keep it rolling.

"The timing's worked out well so hopefully we can just jump straight into the thick of it here, hopefully.”

The Englishman has already been busy riding trackwork for South East Queensland trainers since his arrival, including Ryan Tyrell, Phil Bobic and Renita Beaton.

Bennett tallied around 200 winners back home in the United Kingdom before heading abroad.

He rode Rich And Joyful for Gilbert Baker and Summer Ready for Darryl Knight at Dalby on Saturday.