Another Juvenile SW for Wootton Bassett
Set to have his first Australian runners this season, Wootton Bassett added a new juvenile stakes-winner to his tally in the UK on Friday where progressive colt Benevento (2c Wootton Bassett x Pollyanna, by Whipper) won the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes (7f) at Doncaster.
Trained by Raphael Freire and ridden by David Egan, Benevento was having his third start following a debut win at Yarmouth in May and then a second in the Listed Ripon Champion 2YO Trophy last month.
He enjoyed a step out 7f and was strong to the line in forging clear to win by half a length.
“I’m delighted. I expected him to take a big step forward from Ripon,” said Freire.
“They are so unexposed these horses, you never know what you are really up against, but I certainly expected him to run a good race.
“It looked like he needed to step up in trip when he finished second last time and I expected Doncaster to suit him better than Ripon as there are less undulations. It’s a nice, flat track which enabled him to travel easy and finish his race.
“I don’t know if he’ll run again, we’ll all discuss it. I think he’ll get a mile, but whether he needs to this season, I’m not so sure.”
Benevento does hold an entry for the Group I Doncaster Futurity Trophy over 1m next month.
Benevento was sold as a foal at Goffs November for 140,000 euros and then made 140,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 when bought by Robson Aguiar / Ben McElroy Agent For Amo Racing.
Benevento is the first stakes-winner among three winners from Group II winning Whipper mare Pollyanna.
He is the 49th stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett, who is having a great season with his two year-olds siring 24 winners so far in 2024 including six stakes-winners from 56 starters.