Nutrien Classics: Benstud looks to extend influence

Benstud Standardbreds, one of Australia’s leading nurseries and breeding and spelling centres, is poised to extend its outstanding record in the Nutrien Classic Sales Race Series Finals at Wagga on Saturday night. 

The Victorian and NSW breeding conglomerate, conducted by the Judd family, will be represented by 13 finalists with harness racing runners across five of the eight Listed events. 

It has five finalists in the three-year-old fillies’ decider in Devious Minds, Rachel’s Legacy, Fiction File, Seaside Drive and Bettor Inthe Dark and four starters in the two-year-old colts and geldings’ final in the heat winner Smack Bang Bart, Intemperance, Cardigan Jem and Darkoutsider. 

Benstud is dually represented in the three-year-old boys’ final with Letsstartinheaven and Cardigan Dan and has single runners in the two-year-old pacing fillies’ final (Outta The Ordinary) and the two-year-old colts and geldings’ trot final (Hampton Court). 

Gosford breeder Michael Taylor has brought out seven runners across the four trotting finals in the two-year-olds Regal Gala, Lucky Avenue and Elegant Spirit and the three-year-olds African Gala, Brother Mountain, Life On The Hill and Love Dancin. 

Pat Driscoll’s Yabby Dam Farms has seven finalists including the two-year-olds San Antonio, The Fiery Duchess and Connect The Dots and the three-year-olds Hammer, Jilliby Aura and Rhapsody Reign. 

Alabar Bloodstock, Aldebaran Park, Brooklyn Lodge and the La Spina Family and Greg and Sharon Mitchell all have three finalists. Alabar is represented by Candy Girl Marley and the trotters Howdy Mate and Halfyourshalfmine, Aldebaran Park (Aldebaran Ada, Aldebaran Emjay and Musclem), Brooklyn Lodge and the La Spina’s (San Sebastian, Disturbance and Kiki Meister) and the Mitchell’s (Blackjack Sam, Kicking Horse and Snowball). 

Wagga couple Denis and Jo Howe brought out heat winners in the three-year-old pacing division in Hollywood Strip (gelding) and Willows Girl (filly). 

The Woodlands Stud pair Downbytheseaside (7) and Bettor’s Delight (6) have the strongest entry in the pacing series. Captaintreacherous and his son Captain Crunch have five each, while Art Major, Rock N Roll Heaven and Sweet Lou all have three.  

Pastor Stephen has the biggest draft in the trotting section with five, followed by Classic Connection (4), What The Hill (4) and Elite Stride, Love You, Majestic Son and On A Streak with two each. 

Interestingly, two of last Friday’s heat winners in Gocciadoro (by Downbytheseaside) and Brooklyn Dan (by Captain Crunch) are out of full sisters. Gocciadoro is from Now Eye See and Brooklyn Dan is out of Eye Betta Fly, with both being grandsons of the celebrated matron Grace Robinson, the dam of nine individual winners – all inside 2:00 – four $100,000 earners and three Group 1 winners from 12 foals. 

by Peter Wharton, for Harnesslink