A last to first performance to capture the Listed Marks Ewen & Associates Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata has thrust promising stayer Benzini to the forefront of discussions for the upcoming Gr. 1 Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.

Plans for a tilt at the two-mile event had been hatched by trainers Adrian and Harry Bull after the five-year-old gelding had 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.

“We started to get serious about a shot at the Auckland Cup when he ran a nice 4th to Kawi at Trentham as he really relaxed that day and hit the line well.”

An unplaced run in the Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile followed but the son of Tale Of The Cat bounced back to winning form when tried over 2050 metres at Tauherenikau at his next start.

That performance showed he was on the right track as a stayer and he replicated the effort on Saturday as he bided his time at the rear of the field before unleashing a powerful finish to claim victory from a game Classcoroc with current Auckland Cup co-favourite Surpass back in third.

“From that outside draw we had to go back at the start and ride for luck,” explained Bull.

“As it turned out we got that luck and he’s hit the line really well so it’s on to the Auckland Cup now.”

“He’ll go to the Nathans on the first day at Ellerslie to put some more miles in his legs and he should be cherry ripe for the Cup after that.”

Avondale Cup placegetter Rock Diva shares favourtism with Surpass at $6 on the TAB Fixed Odds market for the Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup with Benzini now on the third line of betting at $8.