Benaud set for Grafton Cup

Having rediscovered that winning feeling, classy gelding Benaud will attempt to build on his newfound confidence with a maiden stakes success in the Listed Grafton Cup.

The four-year-old has been a wonderful money-spinner for connections, placing in the Gloaming Stakes and Group 1 ATC Australian Derby at three, and racing competitively against the ilk of Anamoe and I’m Thunderstruck in the spring.

But until this month, Benaud’s lone victory had been on debut at Nowra in 2021, prompting trainer John O’Shea to ponder if the horse had forgotten how to win.

So O’Shea went in search of a soft target and hit the jackpot when he found a set weights, class one, 2100m race at Wyong on July 4.

Starting a $1.26 favourite, Benaud was ridden positively by apprentice Tyler Schiller and responded with a facile 6-1/4 length romp.

O’Shea hopes it will prove a career turning point.

“It was just about building some confidence,” O’Shea said.

“Most importantly, he executed well. He jumped well and Tyler gave him a chance to be in the finish by having him in a nice forward position.”

O’Shea is banking on Benaud taking that confidence into Thursday’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) where he is on the second line of betting at $5.50.

However, he will have to overcome a tough draw and after early scratchings, will jump from the outside gate in the field of 13 with Schiller retaining the mount.

In-form stayer Zoumon is a $2.50 favourite to give Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott their second Grafton Cup as a training partnership after Supply And Demand in 2017, while O’Shea will be chasing a breakthrough success with Benaud.

“We’ve run a couple of placings but we haven’t won it yet,” O’Shea said.

“If we can get some luck there and be a chance to win, it would be good.”