Benevento Continues Fine Run For Wootton Bassett

Benevento (2c Wootton Bassett – Pollyana, by Whipper) became Wootton Bassett’s third juvenile Stakes winner of the month so far when landing the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

The bay made a winning debut in May and returned last month to finish second in a Listed race. Stepping up to seven furlongs on Friday, the Raphael Freire-trained colt raced prominently under David Egan and led his group approaching the final furlong. He kept on well to assert overall close home and led by half a length on the line.

“I expected Benevento to take a big step forward from last time,” Freire commented. “It looked as though he wanted to step up in trip and I thought Doncaster would be a better track for him as it was less undulating, so he could travel easier and finish his race.”

Owned by Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar, Benevento becomes the first black-type winner bred by J Wall and E Kennedy out of Pollyana.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Whirl (2f Wootton Bassett – Salsa, by Galileo) completed a double on the card for their sire when taking the fillies’ maiden over seven furlongs.

The Coolmore homebred was sent off joint-favourite under Ryan Moore and pressed the leader for much of the way. She led on the near side approaching the final furlong and was ridden out to score by a length and a quarter.

Speaking after the race, the owners’ representative Kevin Buckley said, “Aidan thought Whirl would improve and she has. She has a lovely temperament and plenty of size and scope for next year.”