Benedetta puts rivals on notice ahead of Robert Sangster Stakes

It is less than two weeks to the running of $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on April 27 and the Jason Warren trained mare Benedetta has put her rivals on notice that she will be up and ready for the fight as she looks to put a first Group 1 win on her resume.

The daughter of Hellbent has never finished further back than fourth place in her thirteen starts and her resume is already embellished by solid wins in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes at Caulfield back in September 2023 and her latest win … last Saturday … in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes at Morphettville, where the Sangster Stakes will be run.

Even more relevant is the fact that Benedetta has also been good enough … although without winning … to maintain a strong level of form in even higher company, having finished third behind Star Patrol in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis and fourth in both the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield and the Newmarket at Flemington … both Group 1 races … when finishing less than two lengths behind the winner in both of those starts at the highest level.

Throw in the fact that the horses who beat her home in the Newmarket were Cylinder, Imperatriz and The Astrologist and the merit in Benadetta’s performance is clear to see.

The Robert Sangster, with the field the $1 million race will attract, will be a stern test for any runner though, with the likes of the emerging Ciaron Maher trained star Estriella also targeting the race.

Estriella is unbeaten in three starts this preparation with those wins coming in the Group 3 contest at Caulfield, the $1 million Inglis Sprint at Flemington and the Listed Sunlight Classic at Flemington, in her last start on March 30.

The last two editions of the Robert Sangster were won by horses from the Ciaron Maher / David Eustace yard … Snapdancer in 2022 and Ruthless Dame in 2023 … meaning Maher will be looking for a hat trick of wins in the race.

Chances are it is going to take a good horse to stop him.

Chances are Benedetta will make a fight of it in a race which could end up being a real cracker!