New Kiwi Stakes-Winner for Tale of the Cat

A last to first performance to capture the Listed Kaimai Stakes over 2000 metres at Matamata in New Zealand on Saturday has thrust promising Australian bred stayer Benzini (5g Tale of the Cat x Paris Perfume, by Kurofone) into contention for the upcoming Group I Auckland Cup. Plans to tackle the prestigious two-mile event had been hatched by trainers Adrian and Harry Bull Benzini finished fourth to exciting galloper Kawi in the Listed Anniversary Handicap at Trentham just over a month ago. “We’ve always been excited about getting him over ground but he’s taken a while to learn to relax in his races but now he’s doing that he’s ready to take the step up,” noted Harry Bull after the race. Benzini settled at the rear of the field and charged home to win by the best part of a length, his overall record now seven wins from 22 starts. Benzini is the only winner from Paris Perfume, an unraced half-sister to Group II winner Hot Snitzel from an international family featuring Group I stars such as Park Appeal and Cape Cross. Benzini is the 98^th stakes-winner worldwide for Tale of the Cat, who is closing in on a century of stakes-winners.