Kingsman wins at Ellerslie
Photo: Trish Dunell
Johno Benner is prepared to go the extra distance to ensure Kingsman gives him a chance for further success in the Listed Karaka Million.
The Otaki horseman, who now trains with his partner Holly Wynyard, produced Vespa to win the country's richest race two years ago and fancies his chances of doubling his tally at Ellerslie on January 24.
"I'm really happy with him and he ticks all the boxes – he's been that way around and he's good enough for it," Benner said.
"Obviously he needs a bit of luck, but he's going to be spot on for the race."
Kingsman, whose half-brother (Lot 81) by Savabeel will be sold through Blandford Lodge's Premier Sale draft at Karaka on January 25, currently sits at 12 in the order of entry to the 14-horse Karaka Million.
Benner has a decision to make in the next couple of days whether he rides his luck or leaves nothing to chance and runs the youngster again this Saturday at Trentham.
"He's a clean-winded athlete and we'd rather go straight into the Million, but there's the option of a race at Wellington," Benner said.
The Darci Brahma colt was a debut third in the first two-year-old event of the season at Wanganui before he was put aside.
He returned to finish runner-up at Otaki and last month and he then made an excellent fist of his first look at Ellerslie with his maiden victory.
Meanwhile, the stable star Vespa is thriving ahead of his return to racing in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph at Trentham.
"He's absolutely flying, we couldn't be any happier with him," Benner said.
"He's had two jump-outs and won them both impressively – we wouldn't swap him for any other runner."
Vespa hasn't raced since he was laid low by a lung infection following his unlucky fifth in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes.
Valachi Downs will be offering his half-brother (Lot 405) by Zacinto during the Premier session at Karaka later this month. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Otaki horseman, who now trains with his partner Holly Wynyard, produced Vespa to win the country's richest race two years ago and fancies his chances of doubling his tally at Ellerslie on January 24.
"I'm really happy with him and he ticks all the boxes – he's been that way around and he's good enough for it," Benner said.
"Obviously he needs a bit of luck, but he's going to be spot on for the race."
Kingsman, whose half-brother (Lot 81) by Savabeel will be sold through Blandford Lodge's Premier Sale draft at Karaka on January 25, currently sits at 12 in the order of entry to the 14-horse Karaka Million.
Benner has a decision to make in the next couple of days whether he rides his luck or leaves nothing to chance and runs the youngster again this Saturday at Trentham.
"He's a clean-winded athlete and we'd rather go straight into the Million, but there's the option of a race at Wellington," Benner said.
The Darci Brahma colt was a debut third in the first two-year-old event of the season at Wanganui before he was put aside.
He returned to finish runner-up at Otaki and last month and he then made an excellent fist of his first look at Ellerslie with his maiden victory.
Meanwhile, the stable star Vespa is thriving ahead of his return to racing in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph at Trentham.
"He's absolutely flying, we couldn't be any happier with him," Benner said.
"He's had two jump-outs and won them both impressively – we wouldn't swap him for any other runner."
Vespa hasn't raced since he was laid low by a lung infection following his unlucky fifth in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes.
Valachi Downs will be offering his half-brother (Lot 405) by Zacinto during the Premier session at Karaka later this month. – NZ Racing Desk.