Benson runs away with George HoSang Trophy

BENSON YESTERDAY caught rivals flat-footed in his first race among overnight-allowance company, making all at odds of 5-1 in the George HoSang Trophy at six furlongs.

Debuting at the level in an attempt at back-to-back victories following his gate-to-wire win among non-winners of four races last month, BENSON quickly hopped to the front under lightweight claiming rider Richie Shakes.

Carrying a mere 109lb, BENSON, who won at five and a half furlongs in a fast 1:07.0 on December 28, raced clear of United States-bred MUDSHAFT three furlongs out, stringing out the 10-horse field entering the lane.

A struggling MUDSHAFT was no match for the local speedster in the stretch run whereas 2-1 favourite, THALITA, the 2023 St Leger winner, finished just ahead of FREEDOM STREET in a battle for third along the rail.

Shakes, who won his second consecutive race aboard Fitznahum Williams-trained BENSON for owner New Blue Ltd, is among the new nine-pound claiming riders, who have been holding their own since joining the jockeys’ colony late last month.

Shakes’ batchmates, Shaheem Gordon and Demar Williams, won the third and fourth races aboard LET HIM FLY and KELLAN, respectively.

Meanwhile, former champion riders, Shane Ellis and Dane Dawkins, both on break from the Canadian circuit, each rode two winners on the nine-race card.

Dawkins opened the programme with a victory in the stewards’ room, WAYNE’SCHERRYLINKS awarded the six-furlong event for maiden three-year-old fillies after first-past-the-post RILEY J severely hindered third-place HANSA along the rail down the backstretch.

Ellis easily won the second astride United States-bred favourite PROPELLANT, who outclassed native five-year-olds, non-winners of two races, at seven furlongs.

Dawkins returned in the fourth aboard 7-1 outsider ABREATHOFFRESHAIR, repelling HAPPY FORCE throughout at five and a half furlongs.

Ellis closed his two-timer with 9-5 market-springer, SONNY T AND CHIPPY, who reported a rejuvenated horse first time out of Adrian Prince’s barn for new owner O & S Racers.

Normally a closer, SONNY T AND CHIPPY easily stalked MILOS and LIFE IS LIFE from along the rail before sprinting past along the rail early in the stretch run.

Female claiming riders, Samantha Fletcher, also on break from Canada, made all aboard LADY ABHIMALA at five furlongs straight in the ninth before journeyman Ian Spence brought down the curtains with United States-bred MAGNIFICENT FORCE, beating Ellis astride MIDNIGHT FLIGHT by a short head.

Racing continues at the weekend, the first Saturday-Sunday meet of the new season.