Boom filly Benedetta could get her first taste of Group 1 racing sooner than expected with Jason Warren toying with the idea of starting her in Friday night’s $1 million William Reid Stakes at The Valley.
The daughter of Hellbent was a late addition to the worksheet for Monday morning’s track gallops at the venue for the 1200-metre weight-for-age contest with Warren keen to see how she handled the circuit.
The Mornington horseman is still leaning towards running in Saturday’s $500,000 Listed Sunlight Stakes (1200m) at Flemington but is keeping all options open with the three-year-old who has won her past four starts in brilliant style.
“She’ll be entered for the William Reid today and we will have a good look at both options,” Warren said.
“I certainly won’t rule out the William Reid. Three-year-old fillies have got a good record it in and she looks progressive enough to certainly consider it.
“At this stage we’re probably leaning towards Flemington given she ran so well there last start but, in saying that, we did come to The Valley today to give ourselves a look at the track and give ourselves that option.”
Benedetta was ridden on Monday morning by regular rider Daniel Stackhouse and Warren said she will be better for the experience at the unique circuit.
“She did have a good look around here today, Daniel thought that she just took it all in and had a good look at the grandstand and so on,” he said.
“She had a nice quick filly to lead her up in Treasureway and both horses worked really well.”
Benedetta has not raced since her brilliant three-length win in the $750,000 Inglis Sprint at Flemington on March 4 and Warren said she had ‘gone ahead’ since that race.
“She’s kept improving each race, she’s maintained her condition really well, she’s kept eating well and all the outward signs are excellent and she’s definitely gone ahead.”