Classy filly Bendicion will be aimed at bigger and better races following her fighting victory in the $75,000 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes over 1600m on Sunday.
Ridden by Alan Munro, Bendicion scored by a neck from Irish Rebel (Manoel Nunes) with OM (Corey Brown) two lengths away third.
However before the “all clear” could be signalled, the connections of Bendicion had to survive an objection lodged by Nunes aboard the runner-up over alleged interference in the final 100m of the race.
After hearing the objection, it was over-ruled by Stewards.Freezemaster (Danny Beasley) was allowed to roll along at the head of affairs leading from Goodpack (Vagner Leal) and Empire Bay (Ivaldo Santana).
Munro enjoyed a good run in fourth position while Irish Rebel settled at the tail of the field.
Turning for home Freezemaster still led the way and started to move out towards the centre of the track. Goodpack was starting to feel the pressure. Bendicion and Irish Rebel – which had produced a good turn of foot – hit the lead with 200m to run.
Bendicion had to call on all her fighting qualities to fight back after it appeared Irish Rebel had got his head in front.
Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka said Bendicion would now be given a break and return to racing sometime in the New Year when racing returns to the turf.
Bendicion finished third behind Stepitup and Super Ninetyseven in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas over 1600m in May and long-term Takaoka has Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge aspirations with the filly.
“We will keep her for the grass next year after that win,” said Takaoka. “I think we will look at the Four-Year-Old Series with her.
“I don’t know whether we will run her in the 1400m first Leg, but the 1600m and later race should be good for her.
“There is enough time to get her ready for 1600m, 1800m and further after giving her a good rest.”
Bendicion hadn’t raced in 49 days since running third behind Tiger Master over 1600m in a similar race back on October 6.
But it wasn’t by design. Takaoka had intentions of running the filly in a Class 3 race around three weeks ago but the contest was changed to a Benchmark 67 race.
“I had her in a Class 3 race about three weeks ago but the race was changed to a Benchmark 67 race and she was topweight,” said Takaoka.
“I decided to scratch from that race and just keep her for this race instead.”
Munro said he was always confident of holding out Irish Rebel in the run to the line.
“We were always going to beat the other horse,” said Munro. “It was only in the last five strides that she shifted off her line.”
A Japanese-bred three-year-old filly by Black Tide from Harbour Ojo, Bendicion is amassing a handy record at Kranji. She has won four of 10 starts and with another four minor placings has now won almost $230,000 in prizemoney for owners – Big Valley Stable.
