Star runner: Brayden Star ridden by Daniel Moor wins the Bet365 Benalla Gold Cup on Friday. Photos: Jay Town/Racing Photos
Photo by
Jay Town
“Never back the favourite” is a phrase that echoes around racing meets across the globe, but in Benalla’s main race, the bookies had it spot on.
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Ridden by jockey Daniel Moor, Brayden Star entered the Benalla Gold Cup as the $2.40 popular pick.
But out of the gates, the five-year-old sat in the back four.
The Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin-trained horse got to the outside and started its move through the field on the home bend.
Brayden Star surged down the straight to win the race by a length and a half over nearest rival Arran Bay.
The Gold Cup win strengthens the European import’s claim to a Caulfield Cup start later this month.
On and off the track, Benalla Gold Cup day went off without a hitch.
Happy days: Brayden Star with co-trainer Natalie Young in the mounting yard after winning the Bet365 Benalla Gold Cup.
Photo by
Jay Town
Benalla Racing Club chief executive Cameron Symes was pleased with how the day unfolded.
“The day was sensational,” Symes said.
“The crowd was just up from last year to 2106 (attendees).
“Bookings were good. The Slingsby Gin Marquee this year was clearly a fan favourite.
“The weather was fantastic, 25 degrees, no breeze, no rain in the lead-up, it made the set-up that much easier.
“We were all saying how comfortable we were with the set-up and how smoothly it had gone.
“The club would like to thank all our sponsors and the community for coming out and supporting this great day.
“Winning club of the year, you put yourself in the spotlight, and to see everyone come out and support the day, we’d just like to thank everyone who came.”
While no locally trained horses were in the cup, new locals took out three of the supporting races.
Leon and Troy Corstens, who train out of the new on-track facilities at the Benalla Racing Club, won the day’s first race with Red Dates.
Things only got better for Malua Corstens Racing as the trainers took out race four with Suigetsu, ridden by Blaike McDougall, and race six with Zourata, ridden by Liam Riordan.
Symes was ecstatic to see the investment in new on-track facilities already paying off.
“It’s that exciting to see Troy (Corstens) and his team, led by Fiona (Watts), up here in Benalla,” he said.
“To see them get three (winners) on the day is just outstanding, and it’s great to see what you can do when you have stables on course. It’s benefiting all parties.”
The 2023 Victoria Racing Club’s Country Achiever Award recipient, Wayne Nichols, could not make an impact at his home track, as Rolihlahla ran seventh in the second race.
Local trainer Peter Burgun and jockey Shirley Hunter managed a top-three finish, as their only runner, Lord Domino, finished joint third in the ninth race.
The next big day on the Benalla Racing Club calendar is the Living Here Christmas Party Races on December 16.
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