Benzini
Trish Dunell Photography
It will be a sister act if New Zealand stayer Benzini can defend his Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) crown on Saturday.
History was created last year when Rosie Myers became the first woman to ride the winner of the Brisbane Cup when Benzini scored by a neck.
Myers won't ride Benzini on Saturday at Doomben as she recovers from a broken leg, but there was an able riding replacement in her own family.
Her sister Kelly McCulloch, who sits 12th in this season's New Zealand riding premiership with 56 wins, will ride Benzini.
And McCulloch is hoping she can be just as successful as her sister was.
"I have actually just been talking to Rosie on the phone about Benzini, because she knows him pretty well," McCulloch said.
"We both think his run the other day (when he ran fourth beaten a length in the Gr.3 Premier's Cup) was pretty strong.
"Without knowing the form of this race super well, he looks to me like he is in it with a very good chance again.
"I have ridden Benzini before myself and I know you can't bustle him too much early.
"Hopefully there is OK speed and he can be three-back or something and get out and show his pretty good turn of foot."
McCulloch was injured herself last year when Benzini won the Brisbane Cup and has pleasant memories of her sister winning.
"There are plenty of swings and roundabouts in racing - last year I was injured and I was watching on TV and this year the roles have been reversed," McCulloch said. -racenet.com.au
History was created last year when Rosie Myers became the first woman to ride the winner of the Brisbane Cup when Benzini scored by a neck.
Myers won't ride Benzini on Saturday at Doomben as she recovers from a broken leg, but there was an able riding replacement in her own family.
Her sister Kelly McCulloch, who sits 12th in this season's New Zealand riding premiership with 56 wins, will ride Benzini.
And McCulloch is hoping she can be just as successful as her sister was.
"I have actually just been talking to Rosie on the phone about Benzini, because she knows him pretty well," McCulloch said.
"We both think his run the other day (when he ran fourth beaten a length in the Gr.3 Premier's Cup) was pretty strong.
"Without knowing the form of this race super well, he looks to me like he is in it with a very good chance again.
"I have ridden Benzini before myself and I know you can't bustle him too much early.
"Hopefully there is OK speed and he can be three-back or something and get out and show his pretty good turn of foot."
McCulloch was injured herself last year when Benzini won the Brisbane Cup and has pleasant memories of her sister winning.
"There are plenty of swings and roundabouts in racing - last year I was injured and I was watching on TV and this year the roles have been reversed," McCulloch said. -racenet.com.au