An association between Scone trainer Greg Bennett and owner Kevin Williams that began with three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva continues at Mudgee on Sunday.
Three-year-old filly Oh My Papa, prepared by Bennett, the man who broke in Hall Of Fame heroine Makybe Diva, runs in the XXXX Gold Cup Benchmark 68 Hcp (1400m).
Williams manages the syndicate that race the daughter of Dane Shadow on lease.
Dane Shadow, by Danehill, is out of champion race mare Slight Chance.
Bennett first met Williams when he was racing manager for Makybe Diva’s owner, South Australian tuna fisherman Tony Santic.
“Yeah, Kevin and I go back to the early days of Makybe Diva,” Bennett said.
“Kevin used to work with Tony (Santic) in the tuna business. It was through his love of racing that encouraged Tony to get involved.”
Oh My Papa returns to country surrounds on Sunday with Bennett keen to give the filly a confidence-boosting win before returning to Sydney for two races later this month.
“We’re sort of taking a backward step to go forward,” Bennett said.
“Nothing’s ever a gift but she does look well placed at Mudgee with Greg Ryan to ride, dropping back considerably in grade.”
There were excuses in both her last two runs in Sydney after what was a sensational run in the Coolmore at Scone on May 14.
Oh My Papa was beaten a long neck by Ardeche in the $130,000 Coolmore (1100m) at Scone, then was eighth to Big Bonanza over 1200m at Rosehill on June 4 before running on late out wide for fifth, beaten less than three lengths, to Whisperossa over 1400m at Warwick Farm on June 22.
“She’s only tiny (14.1 hands) but got a heart as big as Ned Kelly,” Bennett said.
“We’re trying to get her confidence up again.
“I think she’s a dead- set miler (1600m) and on breeding, she might even get further.
“The only thing holding her back is her size but she has a great fighting spirit.
“She’s trained on really good since Warwick Farm.”
AAP TURF
